Employment and Income Assistance Facts

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Eyeglasses Assistance for Participants

Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) can cover the cost of a necessary eye exam and eyeglasses. EIA is a program of last resort. If you have coverage from a another program or from private insurance, you must use that coverage first.

How to qualify

You must be enrolled in EIA for a certain period before you can use EIA coverage for eye care. The waiting period is:

• three months for all children
• three months for single parents or persons with a disability
• six months for single adults or couples without disabilities

No waiting period in emergency situations

How to pay for eye exams with EIA

EIA will pay for an eye exam once every two years for participants who are between 19 and 64 years of age. Manitoba Health pays for an eye exam for participants who are under age 19 and over age 65. To get EIA's help in paying for an eye exam you must do the following:

• Make an appointment to see an optometrist, an ophthalmologist or a medical doctor who performs eye exams.
• Show your health card if you have one, or mention that you receive EIA.
• Ask your eye care provider if services are provided within EIA's fees. EIA will NOT pay higher fees.
• The eye care providers will telephone EIA to get confirmation that EIA will pay the bill, and will then send the bill directly to EIA.

How to pay for eyeglasses with EIA

EIA will pay for a set of eyeglasses once every three years, and will pay for new lenses without new frames more often, if your eyesight changes significantly. When getting eyeglass services, you must:

• Show your service provider your health card, if you have one, or say that you receive EIA.
• Ask your eye care provider if services are provided within EIA's fees. EIA will not pay higher fees.
• Most eyeglass service providers know what services are covered, what the approved fees are, and where to get more information.
• The eye care provider will call EIA for confirmation that EIA will pay the bill and will then send the bill directly to EIA.

Please note that if you choose an item that EIA does not cover, or choose a more expensive item, you will have to pay for it. This includes contact lenses, which EIA will cover only if medically required and specifically approved by EIA.

Making appointments for eye care

You must keep appointments that you have made with your eye care provider. When you make the appointment, ask about their policy on missed appointments. EIA does not pay for missed appointments.

How to pay for eye care if not on EIA

If you cannot afford an eye exam or eyeglasses but do not qualify for EIA because your income supports your basic needs, you may be eligible for a one-time payment to help you with eye care costs. To apply, you must do the following:

• Call your EIA intake worker before you receive eye care services.
• Provide your intake worker with information about your income for the last six months.
• Tell your intake worker about the eye care services you think you need.

Your intake worker will then determine if you are eligible for help.

To make an appointment to apply for eye care services, call the Intake line in Winnipeg at 948-4000, or outside Winnipeg, call the EIA office in your area.

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