Grant of €500 for hearing aids and up to €1,000 for a pair of hearing aids without requiring co-payment up to a limit of €100 for hearing aid repairs.

Minister for Social Security Heather Humphreys TD announced changes to grants that may be awarded to persons to purchase hearing aids in Budget 2021. As part of the steps disclosed in Budget, the government formed a grant of up to €500 towards buying a single hearing aid and those, plus a grant of up to €1,000 towards purchasing two hearing aids.

The Department of Social Protection will provide grants of up to €100 towards the cost of hearing aid repairs. Before the appointment of the changes by Minister Humphreys, the Department for Social Protection used to issue half the cost of repairing a hearing aid up to a maximum grant of €500 per device. The customer also had to pay at least half the service cost. Introducing the Budget measure now stipulates that the customer will pay the balance exceeding €500 per device and exceeding €100 for the extra cost of repairs. The measures fall under the Department for Treatment Benefit Scheme.

Minister Humphreys commented:

“Hearing aids greatly contribute 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.”

Approximately 14,000 people availed of assistance toward hearing aids, and roughly 800 people sought funds for hearing aid repairs in 2020, based on a person's PRSI contribution record. Employees and self-employed individuals and each dependent spouse or partner could receive aid.