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Cataract Kids Australia provides a ‘Microgrants Programme’ to financially support the families and carers of children affected by cataract and related eye conditions.
In 2023 the Programme will provide up to $150 per child to reimburse expenses incurred in 2023 for the treatment and care of a child's cataract (whether in one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) eyes), or related eye condition. Grants are available where the expense cannot be reasonably reimbursed from another funding source. The Programme is currently limited to the first 40 applicants, with subsequent funding to be determined. |
Eligibility
What type of expenses are covered?
Expenses covered by the Microgrants Programme include, but are not limited to:
Who is eligible for a Microgrant?
Children under the age of 18 years who have a cataract or a closely related eye condition (eg. PHPV, ectopia lentis). This might affect one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral).
To be eligible, the child need not have had surgical treatment for the eye condition; for instance children diagnosed with cataract who do not require surgery but do need occlusion therapy (patching) are eligible for funding.
The child must have resided in Australia at the time the expense was incurred.
There is no 'per family' limit. If a family has more than one child affected by cataract/s, up to $150 may be claimed for each child in 2023.
When can I apply for a Microgrant?
The expense must have already been incurred in 2023 and paid by the child's family/caregiver in the 2023 calendar year.
The expense must not be able to be paid by or reimbursed from any other source, eg. Medicare, the PBS, private health insurance (if the family has this insurance), public hospital, Australian state or federal government funding schemes.
Families can make more than one claim in a year, as long as the total amount claimed over the whole year does not exceed $150 per child.
Can I claim for 'gap' or 'out of pocket' costs?
Yes. Where an expense is partially reimbursable by, for example, Medicare, a hospital or private health cover, families can claim a Microgrant for the 'gap' that they had to pay. This might include the cost of a private ophthalmologist or for contact lenses.
How can I apply?
Complete the application form online, or download and complete the form and email or post it to Cataract Kids Australia (see Contact information).
Attach evidence of:
Want more information?
Just contact us!
This Programme is limited to the first 40 applicants in 2023, with further support to be determined. Cataract Kids Australia reserves the right to discontinue the Microgrants Programme at any time in its absolute discretion.
Expenses covered by the Microgrants Programme include, but are not limited to:
- Eye patches (cloth or adhesive) for occlusion therapy
- Contact lenses
- Spectacles
- Out of pocket costs to attend a private ophthalmologist or other healthcare specialist.
- Medication relating to eye condition (eg. oral medication for glaucoma, eye drops)
- Contact lens extras (eg. cases, plungers, cleaning and disinfecting solution)
- Arm immobilisers
- Rewetting drops (eg. Blink)
- Parking charges incurred while attending medical appointments
- Expenses relating to transport to and from medical appointments (eg. hospital, ophthalmologist, optometrist) that are not eligible for a state government patient transport scheme.
Who is eligible for a Microgrant?
Children under the age of 18 years who have a cataract or a closely related eye condition (eg. PHPV, ectopia lentis). This might affect one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral).
To be eligible, the child need not have had surgical treatment for the eye condition; for instance children diagnosed with cataract who do not require surgery but do need occlusion therapy (patching) are eligible for funding.
The child must have resided in Australia at the time the expense was incurred.
There is no 'per family' limit. If a family has more than one child affected by cataract/s, up to $150 may be claimed for each child in 2023.
When can I apply for a Microgrant?
The expense must have already been incurred in 2023 and paid by the child's family/caregiver in the 2023 calendar year.
The expense must not be able to be paid by or reimbursed from any other source, eg. Medicare, the PBS, private health insurance (if the family has this insurance), public hospital, Australian state or federal government funding schemes.
Families can make more than one claim in a year, as long as the total amount claimed over the whole year does not exceed $150 per child.
Can I claim for 'gap' or 'out of pocket' costs?
Yes. Where an expense is partially reimbursable by, for example, Medicare, a hospital or private health cover, families can claim a Microgrant for the 'gap' that they had to pay. This might include the cost of a private ophthalmologist or for contact lenses.
How can I apply?
Complete the application form online, or download and complete the form and email or post it to Cataract Kids Australia (see Contact information).
Attach evidence of:
- the child's diagnosis of cataract/s or closely related condition, and
- the paid expense/s.
Want more information?
Just contact us!
This Programme is limited to the first 40 applicants in 2023, with further support to be determined. Cataract Kids Australia reserves the right to discontinue the Microgrants Programme at any time in its absolute discretion.