Someone who requires help may apply directly to the Benevolent Fund or may be referred by another party. Whatever the case, a representative from the Benevolent Fund will arrange a virtual meeting with the applicant to assess the level of need the applicant to assess the level of need. There is no charge for this visit and we will respect your privacy and keep your details confidential. There is also a standard application form that requires completion before the case is put to the Trustees for consideration. Each case is considered on an individual basis.
In cases where applicants could benefit from assistance in organising and managing their financial affairs, we can connect them with specialist services, who give guidance and support.
As well as offering financial support, we can also assist in the purchase of equipment to meet specific needs.
If you are an optometrist, a widow or widower or partner of an optometrist or a retired optometrist and either you or your partner have been registered as an optometrist with the General Optical Council, you are eligible to apply for assistance. We can also help any member of your family who is dependent on you for financial support. Pre-registration optometrists are also eligible to apply. You must be living in the UK and experiencing financial hardship.
In some cases, yes but only if you are experiencing exceptional personal or financial circumstances. Every application is assessed individually. If you are an optometry student, you should apply to and receive the outcome of, your universities hardship fund first.
Yes, absolutely. All enquiries and applications are handled with complete confidentiality and care. Only Trustees, the OptomHelp administrative team. If we refer rather than signpost you to other trusted agencies, we will ask your permission to pass on your details first.
Grants are dependent on individual needs where there is evidence of hardship or potential hardship. They may be given as a one-off amount or on a short, fixed term basis until you can be independent again. We tailor our support to tackle your priority needs. If we feel you would benefit from advice or practical support from another trusted agency, we will offer to refer you and will normally cover the cost where applicable.
We aim to help you through a temporary crisis. With the right help and advice we hope to help the beneficiaries so they can move forward independently in their lives again. However, with beneficiaries who are experiencing serious long term debilitating illnesses, we may consider longer term support.
Yes, we support people facing mental health challenges, especially where these are linked to financial difficulties. We aim to help with both the financial pressures and your overall wellbeing.
You can apply online, call us, or email to request an application form. We also offer a confidential telephone conversation if you wish to discuss your situation before you complete the application form.
We are funded primarily by The Association of Optometristsand The College of Optometrists. We also receive donations from LOCs, legacies and personal donations. A previous applicant of the Optical Beneficiary Fund, fundraised herself for the charity when she had recovered.
We do not offer funding to pay off debt, to pay back friends and family or settle tax bills, business costs or tuition fees.
Once we receive your application, complete with all your supporting documentation the OptomHelp administrative secretary will contact you to guide you through the next steps. We aim to make decisions as quickly as possible. All support is given by the discretion of the Trustees.
We aim to process all applications as quickly and fairly as possible, usually within weeks rather than months. Some cases are more complex or urgent so will be treated in a timely manner. As a small charity with limited office hours, we appreciate your patience. Be assured our administrative team will keep you updated throughout.
Grants are given to cover a range of circumstances. Below, we give some examples of situations in which we can help but the list is not exhaustive and we will consider any specific need you have. We may grant a one-off payment to purchase a washing machine, pay a winter fuel bill, pay for essential car or minor household repairs or cover the cost of the GOC registration fee or return to practice training costs.We can provide financial assistance to help someone’s mental or physical quality of life. For example, funding might be given for respite care, for counselling or therapy, for convalescence or home help while recovering from ill health or an accident. Help may also be given to purchase a particular disability aid or home adaptation.
