Press release
Minister Humphreys announces changes to Hearing Aid Grants
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced changes to the grants available towards the purchase of hearing aids.
As part of measures announced in Budget 2021, a flat rate grant of up to €500 is now available towards a hearing aid, while a grant of up to €1,000 is available for a pair.
The Department of Social Protection will also provide a grant of up to €100 towards the cost of hearing aid repairs.
The measures fall under the Department’s Treatment Benefit Scheme.
Prior to the introduction of the changes by Minister Humphreys, the Department paid half the cost of a hearing aid up to a maximum grant of €500 per aid. The customer also had to pay at least half the cost of the aid.
The introduction of the Budget measure now provides that the customer will pay the balance of the cost of their hearing aid in excess of €500 per device and the balance of the cost of repairs to in excess of €100.
Minister Humphreys commented:
“Hearing aids make a great contribution to the quality of life for many people who might otherwise be more isolated.
“As I pledged in my first social welfare Budget last October, under this measure, my Department is now paying a grant of up to €500 towards each hearing aid and up to €100 towards hearing aid repairs, without the need for an equal co-payment from the customer.
“I urge anyone who qualifies for a grant to avail of this support, which I hope will improve their lifestyle and help address their hearing needs.”
Some 14,000 people availed of financial support towards hearing aids and approximately 800 applied for assistance towards hearing aid repairs in 2020.
Based on a person’s PRSI contribution record, employees and self-employed and their dependent spouse or partner may qualify.
ENDS
The Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependent spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
To qualify for Treatment Benefit, a person must have paid class A, E, P, H or S social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
Customers can check their eligibility to this grant and to all treatment benefits on www.MyWelfare.ie.
Payment of the grant is made direct to registered service providers who hold a contract with the Department. As a result, the customer only pays any cost in excess of the grant amount.
Full information on Treatment Benefit is available on www.gov.ie/treatmentbenefit.