Visioncarensw

Process

People are required to organise their own eye examination.  A current prescription is required (not older than 12 months).  The great majority of Program Providers are Optometrists who can conduct an eye examination, if the currency of your existing prescription has expired. 

Contact with VisionCare NSW will provide information (including contact details) for the nearest or most convenient participating Provider practice.

If a person believes that he/she is eligible to receive benefits, they will be given a Program Application Form (which includes eligibility information details), to complete and sign.  Applicants must provide the following personal details: Name, address, age, sex, Medicare Number, identification of Centrelink benefit received, the amount(s) paid as a Centrelink benefit including Family Payments, any other additional income source (if applicable) received, together with a Declaration regarding their assets (as defined). 

All persons who apply to the Program and who receive a Centrelink payment, must submit a current Centrelink Income Statement.  Either an ORIGINAL of the Income Statement or a copy of BOTH the front and reverse sides of the Income Statement is required – providing details of income and assets.

For all applicants who are married or in a de facto relationship, a Centrelink Income Statement is required for both the applicant AND their partner.

Applicants should contact Centrelink, either in person or by telephone, to arrange to receive the necessary Statement.

Applicants are also required to complete a Declaration under the Community Welfare Act in which they declare that the information shown on the Application is true and correct and that VisionCare NSW may seek to verify relevant details contained in the Application (from either the applicant or any State or Federal Government agency or organisation – such as Centrelink). 

Other information documents (Patient Information Brochure and the Patient’s Eligibility Check) are available which also refer to the eligibility criteria, benefits available and the process involved in service delivery.  Please note that these two items are available upon request, in six languages other than English – Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Greek, Spanish and Vietnamese.

The Program may request applicants to submit financial statements from banks, building societies, or other financial institutions covering the previous six months period to verify the value of their assets; or other financial/supporting documentation to confirm/clarify their current financial circumstances.

Applicants who claim to be low income earners will be required to submit a recent employer’s income statement (payslip) to verify their gross income.  This income amount is then compared to a person who only receives a Centrelink payment (Pension, Benefit or Allowance, as appropriate).

People are required to lodge their completed Application (together with the Centrelink Income Statement) with a VisionCare NSW Provider who will forward the Application to VisionCare NSW for assessment of eligibility.

The expected supply time (from lodgement of Application to the made up spectacles being made available for dispensing at the Providers practice) is normally approximately, 2-3 working weeks.

Approved applicants are required to sign a “patient acquittance”, confirming receipt of the spectacles and that they were in good order at the time they were dispensed.