Cost of living: Thousands eligible for €1,000 grant paid once every two years
Thousands of people will be eligible for a grant worth €1,000 paid once every two years if they meet two specific criteria. The Treatment Benefit Scheme, which is run by the Department of Social Protection, provides a limited financial contribution towards dental, optical and aural services, RSVP Live reports. However, there is a catch: you must be an insured worker, self-employed or retired and have the required number of PRSI contributions. READ MORE: Migrant travelling from UK to Ireland given IPO address and told it was his 'employer There is also a grant available for medical reasons for those who need contact lenses. The Department will provide up to €1,000 towards the cost of a pair of medical contact lenses, which is €500 for each contact lens, once every two years. But the caveat is that this only applies to a small number of eye conditions that make wearing glasses impossible and people must have a doctor's recommendation. Contact lenses are not available on purely cosmetic grounds and they are available through the Optical Benefit scheme. People with the correct amount of PRSI contributions are also entitled to a free eyesight test, once every two years. However, sight tests for visual display units (VDUs) and driving licences are not covered under the scheme. If you are able to wear glasses, you will get a fixed payment, once every two years, towards either one pair each of reading and distance spectacles, one pair of bifocal or varifocals, or one pair of contact lenses, which includes disposables. Depending on the frames you choose, the cost will vary - basic frames are free under the Optical Benefit scheme. The examination is provided by opticians, optometrists or ophthalmologists who have a contract with the Department of Social Protection. You must claim for the medical contact lenses through your provider, who will assess your entitlement in advance of treatment and claim payment afterwards. They will require some information to identify you, such as your date of birth and PPS number. Prior to your treatment, you will need to sign a Consent Form agreeing to your provider having this information and giving your consent to have this information supplied to the Department of Social Protection, to enable payment of your claim. If you are claiming as a dependant under the PRSI record of your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant, both you and your spouse or partner will need to sign the Consent Form. You can find more information about the Treatment Benefit Scheme here. Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
