Children's spectacle subsidy service

Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People-funded vision services for children

Enable New Zealand Limited administers the children’s spectacle subsidy for Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People. The children’s spectacle subsidy is to help families with the cost of certain vision services for eligible children 15 years of age and under.

We do the following:

• Process claims from approved assessors for the children’s spectacle subsidy.
• Check the child is eligible and meets Whaikaha access criteria.
• Provide advice, education and support to approved assessors.
• Manage the annual budget allocated for the children’s spectacle subsidy.

In 2020/2021, we approved 28,099 claims for the children’s spectacle subsidy.

Approved assessors may claim the children’s spectacle subsidy

Before we can approve funding, the child or young person must have an assessment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

The optometrist or ophthalmologist must be:

• an approved assessor for the children’s spectacle subsidy.
• registered on the Ministry of Health Accreditation Framework.

How to register on the Ministry of Health Accreditation Framework

How to claim the children's spectacle subsidy

Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People criteria for children’s spectacle subsidy

Visit the Whaikaha website to find out:

• who can get the children’s spectacle subsidy
• how much you can claim for
• how the subsidy is paid.

Who can get the children’s spectacle subsidy

Or download our brochure for parents, whānau, or guardians.

Children's spectacle subsidy brochure (PDF, 1.8 MB, 2 pages)

Finding an optometrist

For help finding an optometrist, visit their national website.

New Zealand Association of Optometrists

Enquiries about our children’s spectacle subsidy service

Please contact the Service Manager, Professional Services at our Head Office, Palmerston North.

Contact Enable New Zealand