Key measures in the flagship Welfare Reform Bill represent a major assault on the incomes and independence of working age blind and partially sighted people.
This is the finding of the 'More Than Meets the Eye' report, published by RNIB on behalf of seven sight loss charities.
We are calling on the Government to work with us to achieve the fairness they promised in their reforms.
Our report
What this means for you
Three key measures will impact on blind and partially sighted people are:
-
Replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with a Personal Independence Payment.
-
Time limiting contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to one year for those in the Work Related Activity Group.
-
Linking benefits to the Consumer Price Index (rather than the higher Retail Price Index).
"My DLA does not stretch far enough to cover the additional costs of living with sight loss as it is, but these reforms could mean I get even less.
"This would erode my quality of life and could put pressure on my relationships if I have to rely on others to get around.
"Will I simply be forced to choose between travel to do my weekly shopping or a sighted guide to support my work?" Ian Jentle, RNIB campaign supporter.
Responses to the report
Steve Winyard, RNIB Head of Campaigns and Policy
"The Government risks failing its own fairness test - reforming welfare to save money but at the expense of those they have promised to protect.
"Blind and partially sighted people need support to secure employment and to manage the extra costs of living with a disability, not the threat of losing their benefits.
"Yet like a perfect storm, the Welfare Reform Bill will pass through Parliament at precisely the same time as local authorities make swingeing cuts."
Eugene Grant, Demos
"It is clear that the Government's cuts in welfare support will have a disproportionately damaging effect on disabled people - their income, financial security and wellbeing.
"There is a real risk that cutting critical support for disabled families - and at a time of entrenched financial hardship - will push this group even further to the isolated margins of society.
"This report adds to a growing evidence base that shows the Government cannot follow through on its Big Society agenda and its commitment to give disabled people control and independence by stripping away the very benefits and services that enable them to take part in our communities."
Richard Leaman, Guide Dogs Chief Executive
"The Chancellor has said that we are "all in this together" but, taken together, these legislative proposals would suggest otherwise.
"Blind and partially sighted people want to play a full part in society but many of them need support to do so.
"These welfare reforms, combined with the cuts in local authority funding, are likely to leave many of them without the financial or social support that they need and, quite frankly, deserve.
"This does not look like one big society to me."
Sue Brown, Head of Public Policy at Sense
"Sense is deeply concerned the Government's decision to get rid of the automatic entitlement to DLA mobility component for deafblind people will leave many out in the cold and the needless bureaucracy will create confusion and cost the tax payer more.
"The Government's short sighted focus on disabled people with solely higher needs means preventative support will be slashed. This financially irrational approach is not sustainable and will cut many deafblind people off from participating in society."
Stephen Remington, Chief Executive, Action for Blind People
"DLA is a financial lifeline for many blind and partially sighted people, contributing to the extra cost of living with sight loss. Replacing it with a Personal Independence Payment could mean up to 12,000 visually impaired people losing this vital benefit - sacrificed to help the government save £1 billion. The government must engage with visually impaired people and understand their needs when planning welfare reform."