Our advice can help guide you through the rules and regulations of the benefits, concessions and grants you could be entitled to. We also have handy tips on how to manage your finances independently when you have sight loss.
Many people do not claim the benefits to which they are entitled. Given the current cost of living crisis, RNIB wants to make sure that that all blind and partially sighted people are maximising their income through this route, along with accessing any other financial help that is available.
Research from the Department of Work and Pensions confirms that some 63 per cent of eligible people over state pension age and 52 per cent working age people do not claim all their means-tested benefit entitlement. The result of this is that some £15 billion is left unclaimed in means-tested benefits every year.
We also know that many blind and partially sighted people could meet the threshold for health/disability related benefits which are not means tested, such as Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance for children.
Our advice can help guide you through the rules and regulations of the benefits, concessions and grants you could be entitled to. We also have handy tips on how to manage your finances independently when you have sight loss.
Further information including accessing our benefit calculator, moving to Universal Credit, reducing debt repayments and where to get additional support can be found in our Cost of Living factsheet.
For help with any of the benefits and support detailed in this and other factsheets, please contact our Advice Service on 0303 123 9999 or email [email protected].
The benefits you're entitled to depends on your own personal circumstances. We have an easy-to-use calculator that asks you some questions about your situation and then tells you exactly how much you may be missing out on.
What benefits should I be receiving?If you're registered as blind or partially sighted, there's a range of discounts or even free products and services that you could make use of.
If you're on a low income and need financial help to buy items for your home, get out and about or to communicate with others, there could be a grant.
Part of our Starting Out series of leaflets, "Benefits, concessions and registration" takes a look at the main benefits and concessions you could claim if you are blind or partially sighted, plus how you can go about registering as sight impaired:
For information about Northern Ireland, please download our "Benefits, concessions and certification in Northern Ireland" leaflet:
Could you be entitled to a tax allowance?
We have information on Blind Person's Allowance, Married Couple's Allowance, Marriage Allowance, VAT exemption on adapted equipment, and tax-free interest on savings.
Read our information on accessible ways to manage your money if you have sight loss:
Know your rights as a person who is blind or partially sighted, and find out how to challenge discrimination. Or read about ways to carry on in your our current role with sight loss, or find new opportunities.
More about rights and employment