Benefits and Fees

Special benefits for clients

People who are blind or vision impaired may be eligible for a range of benefits.  Please contact us for information about any of these benefits.

Disability Support Pension (Blind)

The Disability Support Pension (Blind) is a payment issued by Centrelink, to men aged 16 to 65 years and women aged 16 to 60 - 65 years (depending on birthdate), who are legally blind. This pension is free of income and asset testing and is not taxable.  In some circumstances pensioners who are vision impaired continue to receive this payment beyond 65 years of age. 

Age Pension (Blind)

The Age Pension (Blind) is a payment issued by Centrelink, to men and women of pensionable age who are legally blind. This pension is free of income and asset testing, but may be subject to taxation.

Mobility Allowance

The Mobility Allowance is a payment issued by Centrelink to people over 16 years of age, who spend at least eight hours per week in employment (paid or voluntary), vocational training, secondary education or job seeking and who cannot use public transport without substantial assistance. This payment is not means tested.

Carer Payment and Carer Allowance

Carer Payment and Carer Allowance payments are made by Centrelink to people who provide a high level of personal care and supervision.  These payments may be made to carers of both adults and children.

Adaptive equipment assistance

Lotterywest provides grants for the purchase of equipment for use by people who are blind or vision impaired.  It is available for the purchase of equipment to improve an individual’s independence and includes video magnification systems, text to speech scanning systems, specialised computer access software and hardware, and Braille-related technologies. Computers and non-specialised hardware and software are not funded. This grant is means tested.

Department of Veterans' affairs - Card Holders

Following assessment, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs may be able to assist its clients with the purchase of adaptive equipment or low vision aids. Gold Card Holders are generally eligible for assistance, whilst White Card Holders may be eligible if vision loss is acknowledged by the Department as a war caused disability.

Pensioner Education Supplement

This fortnightly Centrelink supplement helps students, who are already receiving a Centrelink payment, with additional ongoing study costs. To be eligible, a person must be enrolled in an approved secondary or tertiary course, and undertaking at least 25% of the course’s normal full time study load. A lump sum Education Entry payment is also provided upon commencement of an approved course.

Membership Fee

The Association encourages those who wish to take an active part in the organisation to become members. The annual membership fee is $11.00; renewable each financial year. Members receive discounts when purchasing Aids for Daily Living products, Low Vision aids and products offered by our Home Shopping Service.

Payment arrangements

Payments can be arranged over a period of time, for example monthly, quarterly or yearly. Clients may pay by direct debit, cheque, money order, credit card or by cash if paying in person at the Association’s office.

Other charges

Additional expenses may be incurred if a client buys equipment or takes part in an activity where material is used, for example during pottery/woodwork classes, or which is conducted for the Association by another organisation  - such as entry to a gymnasium or golf club.