Eye examination, glasses or contact lenses

For your eye examination to be free of charge, you must have been receiving Social Assistance or the Social Solidarity Program for at least 12 months without interruption.

On your claim slips, the word "YES" must appear in the "Message" section. If it does not appear, the date on which you will be able to receive this service free of charge is indicated. You may receive a free eye exam every 24 months.

You must present your claim slips to the office of the optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Access the online claim slip

To be eligible for the special benefit for the purchase of eyeglasses or contact lenses, you must be a recipient of one of the following programs:

• Social assistance program for at least six months without interruption;
• Social Solidarity Program (it doesn't matter how long).

Before purchasing glasses or contact lenses, you must have a form completed by an agent at one of the following locations:

• a Services Québec office;
• the Centre de communication avec la clientèle (CCC).

This form authorizes the purchase or replacement of glasses or contact lenses under certain conditions. Expenses related to the purchase of glasses or contact lenses are paid directly to the optometrist or optician by the Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale.

If the total cost of glasses or contact lenses exceeds the amounts that can be reimbursed to you, you must pay the difference to the professional requesting payment.

To find out these amounts, consult, with the professional's help, the back of the form given to you by the agent.

Glasses or contact lenses for children under 18 years of age

Since September 1, 2019, the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) has been offering the financial assistance program See Better to Succeed . Under this program, it is possible to obtain a reimbursement of $250 following the purchase of eyeglasses or contact lenses (contact lenses) for any child under the age of 18, every 24 months. 

Note that the special benefit related to the purchase of eyeglasses or contact lenses remains available for children, according to the terms and conditions, as a complement to the RAMQ's See Better to Succeed  financial assistance program.