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Personal Reader Grant

What is the Personal Reader Grant?

The Personal Reader Grant is a support scheme intended to assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired and require help with job-related reading. This grant is provided to allow these individuals to hire a personal reader to assist with their reading needs in the context of their job.

Note: This grant is only available to individuals employed in the private sector.

How to Qualify for the Personal Reader Grant:

To qualify, you must be:

  • Employed in the private sector and needs assistance with work-related reading due to visual impairment.
  • Recently become visually impaired and are at risk of losing your job as a result of this impairment.
  • As a result of becoming visually impaired, you are going to take on new or different responsibilities at your current job.
  • Limited in your prospects for promotion because of difficulties with reading due to your visual impairment.

    • Rates of Payment:

    The government will provide payment for the Personal Reader Grant at a rate corresponding to the current minimum wage. This payment will be made for an agreed-upon period, up to a maximum of 640 hours per year.

    This grant offers significant support to visually impaired individuals, helping them maintain their employment and potentially even progress in their careers despite their impairment.

    If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria, it's advisable to reach out to the relevant governmental department or agency for further information and to initiate the application process.

    How to Apply:

    To apply please send or bring the completed forms, along with the relevant supporting documents, to your local Intreo Centre.

    You need to complete Personal Reader Grant Application Form: Section 1 and Personal Reader Grant Application Form: Section 2.

    You and your employer need to meet a case officer and agree on the weekly and total number of hours for which you need a personal reader.

    If the application is approved, the department pays you a grant to pay the agreed costs of your personal reader, when you send in the Personal Reader Grant Claim Form at the end of each month. You will receive a grant to pay the agreed costs of your reader.

    Note: The personal reader must not replace any reading help normally given by work colleagues, relatives or friends.