Our thoughts are with all those effected from recent floods in Victoria.
The Victorian Eyecare Service (VES) will subside any VES or Victorian Aboriginal Spectacles Subsidy Scheme (VASSS) patients who have lost or damaged glasses due to the recent floods. VES patients should present to an ACO clinic or other VES participating optometry practice to organise their replacement glasses or contact lenses.
In these cases, the VES will cover the entire cost of the replacement including the patient contribution.
VES practitioners should be satisfied that the additional subsidy is for genuine direct loss resulting from the floods by considering residential address and other circumstances to support the claims. A special request form will need to be submitted to the VES office with all claims clearly identifies as “VES flood additional subsidy”.
VES practitioners who require any further information or assistance should contact the ACO office on 1300 303 125.
About VES & VASSS
The VES provides subsidised glasses and contact lenses to Pensioner and Health Care cardholders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and refugees, while VASSS provide First Nations individuals with glasses approved by community Elders costing $10.
For over 35 years the ACO has worked with the Victorian State Government to provide and manage the VES and the VASSS so that Victorians in need have access to affordable eye care. During this time over two 2 million Victorians experiencing disadvantage have benefited from the service.
For more information on VES and VASSS, click here.
