The Department of Social Protection has announced that Optical Benefit will be introduced for self employed people from the 27th of March.

Those that pay a class S contribution, and their dependent spouses can now claim for optical, dental and medical appliance benefits.

This is the first time that the self employed are included in this scheme, which until then was only for PAYE Employees.

Conditions still apply – you need to have made enough payments – usually over the last 5 tax years.

To see if you or your spouse is eligible, just call us with your name and PPS number – we can email the request to the Departments, and usually receive a response the same or next day.

Usually you would be entitled to an eye exam every two years under the scheme, but earlier tests can be done if there is a clinical justification.