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Glasses
If you’re on a low income or benefit we may be able to help you with the cost of eye tests and glasses.
You'll have to pay the money back - we can help you with a repayment plan.
You may get help if you:
- are 16 or over (if you're 16-18 and have a Youth Service provider, contact Youth Services)
- are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here
- have an immediate and essential need.
It also depends on:
- how much you and your partner earn
- any money or assets you and your partner have.
Your income will be assessed either weekly or yearly, depending on the kind of help you qualify for. These income and asset limits usually apply:
Income limits
| If you are: | Weekly income before tax is less than |
|---|---|
| Single, 16-17 years | $854.30 |
| Single, 18+ years | $981.83 |
| Couple (with or without children) | $1,426.10 |
| Sole parent (1 child) | $1,191.41 |
| Sole parent (2+ children) | $1,255.22 |
Asset limits
These don't include what you need for day-to-day living, for example your home, car, and some payments after a severe weather event. They do include money in the bank, or things like a caravan or a second property.
| If you are: | Your assets are worth less than |
|---|---|
| single | $1,368.68 |
| couple (with or without children) or sole parent | $2,280.58 |
We can pay up to $280 for:
- an eye test
- lenses, including single vision, bifocals or standard progressives
- prescription sunglasses, if they're part of an in-store special that includes glasses and sunglasses for under $280
- frames (there are plenty of options to choose from)
- a fitting service
- repairs
- a cleaning cloth and case
- a 2 year warranty on defective parts.
We have an arrangement with certain optometrists and opticians to provide optical services. These are called our 'preferred suppliers'.
If there is no preferred supplier in your area, we may still be able to help. Talk to us about your situation.
High clinical needs
We may be able to pay more than $280 if the optometrist or optician assesses you as having high clinical needs. This means the glasses you need cannot be provided at the standard contract price.
Some types of high clinical needs are:
- vision which is outside of normal ranges
- severe astigmatism that requires a special lens grind
- growths on eyes due to severe UV exposure.
We don't cover the cost of lens coatings or glasses specifically for Irlen Syndrome.
Call us on 0800 88 99 00
We're open:
- Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, and
- Saturdays, 8am to 1pm.
We'll process the application over the phone and let you know if it's approved.
You may have to provide evidence to support your application. If so, we'll let you know the best way to get this to us.
Step 1 - We'll load the money onto a payment card
If your application's approved, we'll load the money onto a payment card (much like an Eftpos card).
If you don't already have one, you'll need to visit a service centre to pick one up.
You have 21 days to spend the money before it expires.
Step 2 - Book an appointment with the supplier
You need to book an appointment with the optometrist or optician that you've chosen. Take your payment card to the appointment.
They'll give you an eye examination and then advise you what you'll need. Use your payment card to pay for the frames you choose.