The department in which an employee is employed may pay the cost of replacing or repairing eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, watches, or articles of clothing necessarily worn or carried when damaged in the line of duty without fault of the employee. If the eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, watches or clothes are damaged beyond repair, the department may pay the actual value of such eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, watches or clothing. The value of such eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, watches or clothing shall be determined as of the time of the damage thereto.