Eligibility for treatment benefit is based on the person concerned fulfilling certain PRSI requirements. A person can either qualify on their own PRSI, or, if they are considered financially dependent, on their qualified spouse’s PRSI. The person concerned does not qualify in her own right, while her late husband was not qualified under the social insurance scheme at the time of his death (1976). As a result, she does not qualify for assistance under this Department’s treatment benefit scheme. In these circumstances, it is recommended that the person concerned contact her local HSE office for advice on any benefit she may be entitled to under their audiological scheme.