If you are registered severely sight impaired (blind) you are entitled to:
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Blind person's personal income tax allowance
This is worth £1,890 in 2009-10. It can be transferred to your husband or wife. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs can provide further information on the Blind Persons Allowance. Contact their priority number for claiming the allowance, 0845 366 7887.
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Free NHS sight test (also for anyone aged 60 or over)
Tell the optician about your registration before the sight test.
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Reduction of 50 per cent on the television license fee
Applies if a registered severely sight impaired (blind) person lives in the household. Ring the TV licence helpline on 0844 800 5875.
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Car parking concessions under the Blue Badge Scheme
The car doesn't need to be yours. Contact your local council's social services department.
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Free postage on items marked Articles for the Blind.
You may also be entitled to:
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Free permanent loan of radios, cassette players and TV sound receivers. Contact your local council's social services and ask about the British Wireless for the Blind Fund.
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Help with telephone installation charges and line rental
Contact your local council's social services to ask if you qualify. If your social services department are unable to help you, the charity Telephones for the Blind may be able to assist with line rental charges and / or installation.
If you are registered severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted) you are entitled to:
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Disabled Person's Railcard
This gives generally one third off the price of certain rail ticket types for the cardholder and one accompanying adult. Contact your local railway station, or telephone National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 for details of the journeys and tickets to which the card applies.
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Local travel schemes
Contact your local council for details of travel schemes and concessions in your area, including reduced price travel on local buses.
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Exemption from BT Directory Enquiry charges
Ring 195 and ask for a PIN number. You may still use the free service if BT is not your telephone company.
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Protection under the Disability Discrimination Act
Gives rights to people with sight problems who have been treated unfairly. Telephone RNIB for details on 0845 766 9999
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Digital television switchover help scheme
The scheme helps people make the switch from using analogue to digital. Telephone the Switchover help Scheme for details on 0800 408 5900.
You may also be entitled to Leisure concessions. Concessions are available to people with disabilities, or people receiving certain benefits, for various leisure and recreational activities. For example,
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a free ticket for a person accompanying you to participating cinemas. Find out more about the Cinema Exhibitor's Association Card.
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and reduced price entry to museums and exhibitions.
Check locally about availability of concessions and proof required with the relevant service provider.
Welfare benefits
If you are registered as severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted), you are not automatically entitled to any welfare benefits, and there is no special benefit or pension for people with a serious sight loss.
However, blind and partially sighted people - subject to age and other circumstances - may be able to claim one or more welfare benefits.
Please contact RNIB Helpline (0303 123 9999 / helpline@rnib.org.uk) for advice and for our detailed information on these benefits. Although we cannot guarantee your entitlement, we recommend that you apply for the appropriate benefit.
If you don't claim, you won't get anything!
Attendance Allowance
If you are aged 65 or over, you can claim Attendance Allowance. It is for people who require help, or who need watching over, during the day or the night.
More information on Attendance Allowance.
Disability Living Allowance
If you are under 65, you can get Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This has two components. You may get the care component if you need help or supervision. You can get the mobility component if you need guidance to get about in unfamiliar places.
Contact the Department for Works and Pensions the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882 200.
Note: You do not have to be getting help to qualify for Attendance Allowance or DLA. It is the help you need that matters.
More information on Disability Living Allowance.
Carer's Allowance
If someone such as your partner, a relative or friend spends time looking after you, they may be entitled to Carer's Allowance, or an increase in other benefits.
You can be a carer even if you are blind or partially sighted. The person being cared for must be getting either Attendance Allowance or the middle or highest rate care component of DLA. Telephone the Carer's Allowance Unit on 01253 856 123.
Important! Before you or your carer claim Carer's Allowance, contact RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 to check that you, or the person you are caring for, will not lose money.
More information on Carer's Allowance.
Employment and Support Allowance
Can be claimed if you are not in employment and have "limited capability for work". Contact Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688 to make a claim.
More information on Employment and Support Allowance.
Tax Credits
Tax Credits are income-based benefits that can be paid on top of other income including wages and benefits.They are administered by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.
You may get Working Tax Credit (WTC) to top-up your wages if you work at least 16 hours a week. It includes a disability element if you are registered severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted) and you get DLA or another qualifying benefit.
You may get Child Tax Credit (CTC) if you are responsible for a child. If you have a child who is registered as blind or gets Disability living Allowance, your CTC will include the disabled child element.
Your claim is based on gross taxable income for the tax year prior to the year of application. However your Tax Credits award can be reviewed after your claim if your income or other circumstances change. The amount of Tax Credits you get depends on the level of your income.
Ring the Tax Credits Helpline on 0845 300 3900.
Pension Credit
If you are aged 60 or over, you can get the guarantee Pension Credit if your weekly income is low enough. This means less than £130.00 if you are single, or £198.45 for couples.
If you are aged 65 or over, you may get the savings Pension Credit if you have modest retirement income or savings. You could get this if your weekly income is less than £180.87 if you are single, or £266.00 if you have a partner.
Contact our Helpline to check if you qualify on 0303 123 9999. To make a claim, telephone The Pension Service on 0800 99 1234.
More information on Pension Credit.
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
These are income based benefits to help people on a low income with their rent and their council tax. Contact your local council Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit section.
Note: Attendance Allowance and DLA are ignored as income for the above benefits, and an award may make it more likely that you will qualify for these income-based benefits.
More information on Council Tax Benefit.
Exemption from 'non-dependants' deductions
A non-dependant is another adult living in your home (who is not your partner). The exemption applies if you are registered severely sight impaired (blind) or get Attendance Allowance or the care component of DLA.
Contact your local council's benefit section to check if you are exempt from the non-dependants deductions in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
You can also contact the Department for Work and Pensions Benefits Enquiry Line on freephone 0800 882 200.
This information gives general guidance only and is not an authoritative statement of the law.
More Information
Contact RNIB's Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk
Please note that we can only give advice about benefits for people with sight loss and their carers or dependants.
If you use a language other than English, please let us know which language. We will try to arrange a telephone interpreting service.