Vision Program grants

Through a grant from the Denver Regional Council of Governments and supported by community donations, CGS administers the Senior Answers and Services Vision Program to provide limited financial assistance to Denver metro area seniors for the purchase of eyeglasses.This program is funded under the federal Older Americans Act (OAA) and the state Older Coloradoans Fund.

Applicants must be a minimum age of 60 years old and must reside in the metro area (Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin and Jefferson counties). Applicants are screened for social and economic need and in accordance with OAA guidelines, services will be prioritized to those in the greatest need. Applicants will choose their own eyeglass vendor, who must agree to accept a Vision Program grant as payment for services.

For those approved for a grant, the Vision Program will provide an initial grant to have an exam done to evaluate the applicant's needed prescription. The optometrist will forward the proposed prescription to CGS, who will then evaluate it for a final grant for services. No payments will be made to patients. Vendors are paid after all work is completed. In addition the Program will not pay for ANY services performed before explicit written authorization is received by the vendor. The program does not cover tints, progressive lenses, contact lenses, scratch coating or direct eye treatment of any kind. The program will pay for frames and lenses up to trifocals up to a maximum grant award of $250. The full fee schedule is available upon request.

At this time we are operating on an extensive waiting list, but encourage all interested or needy seniors to apply for the programs. More information on the program or information for providers interested in signing up for the program is available at 303-333-3482.