Ongoing cost of living crisis is hitting blind and partially sighted people hard, new RNIB research reveals

Key findings revealed:

• Only 13 per cent of those receiving disability benefits said their disability benefits completely covered the additional costs of sight loss.
• More than half of blind and partially sighted people (53 per cent) said rising energy costs had affected their wellbeing.
• 44 per cent said their financial situation had worsened in the previous three months, and the same proportion expected it to worsen over the next six months.

The research highlights how blind and partially sighted people continue to face additional and often unavoidable costs linked to sight loss, including transport, assistive technology, specialist equipment, practical support and higher energy use. These extra costs can amount to hundreds of pounds each month, making it harder to deal with wider increases in the cost of living.

Rising transport costs can restrict access to work, healthcare, social activities and relationships, particularly where taxis or other accessible transport options are essential rather than optional. Taxis and other transport needs were the most commonly reported additional cost associated with sight loss, cited by 62 per cent of participants.

Working age blind and partially sighted people are particularly affected.

Compared to those aged 65 and over, those of working age are more than twice as likely to report finding it quite or very difficult to manage financially (29 per cent compared with 12 per cent).

RNIB is calling on the UK Government to:

• As the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) begins testing its emerging recommendations in workshops, it’s vital that any changes to PIP ensure disability benefits better reflect the real and unavoidable extra costs associated with sight loss.
• As the Milburn Review prepares its recommendations to tackle youth unemployment, the government must address barriers that prevent young blind and partially sighted people from entering, staying in and progressing in work.

Mike Wordingham, RNIB Head of Policy said:

"Blind and partially sighted people are facing mounting financial pressure from rising living costs alongside the extra, unavoidable costs that come with sight loss such as transport, assistive technology, specialist equipment and practical support. Our research shows that these pressures are forcing many people to make impossible choices between heating their homes, travelling independently, accessing support and meeting other essential needs.

"The impact goes far beyond finances. People are telling us that rising costs are leaving them more anxious, isolated and less able to live independently. Disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), play a crucial role in helping people manage the additional costs of sight loss, but for many they simply are not going far enough.

"With inflation on the rise, energy prices set to increase again, and the Chancellor's Autumn Budget approaching, the UK Government must act to better support blind and partially sighted people. That includes ensuring disability benefits reflect the extra costs that come with sight loss."

The report, The Cost of Living and Sight Loss. Financial Pressures, Independence and Wellbeing in 2026, is available.

https://www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/research-and-data/reports-and-insight/the-cost-of-living-and-sight-loss-financial-pressures-independence-and-wellbeing-in-2026/

The research used a mixed-method design. A total of 362 blind and partially sighted people took part: 356 completed a survey, online or by telephone, and six took part in one-to-one interviews. The interviews were conducted on Microsoft Teams and included participants from all four UK nations. The interview findings were also developed into separate participant case studies.

The fieldwork took place between July and August 2026.

Quotes in the report from blind and partially sighted people:

“The worry I have about rising heating/energy costs has had and continues to have a very high detrimental effect on my mental and physical wellbeing. I tend to sit in the dark more, I am constantly thinking about whether something is essential before I turn it on, it affects my sleep because the constant worry plays on my mind.”

“I’ve been really cold. Local Council told me to go to warm public places but I can’t afford to get there and I don’t have confidence to go somewhere I don’t know on my own as I can’t find my way around.”

"If I didn't have PIP… I would maybe have to take more risks and walk and try to fit in with an erratic bus service."

“I feel so trapped and depressed. In the winter I was terribly cold and felt really unwell as I also have rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud’s so cold hurts me and makes me ill. I can’t afford cabs anymore as they are so expensive now so only get them for medical appointments. I can’t manage public transport as sight loss plus arthritis plus balance loss plus hearing loss makes it impossible. I used to enjoy meeting friends but now can’t go out and rarely speak to or see anyone anymore.”

“In the past, I use[d] Lighting far more to find things around the home and  move safely. Now I’m turning lights off far sooner than I actually need.”

Blind and partially sighted people face additional costs associated with sight loss. These have been estimated at between £282.53 and £755.73 per month and increased by 30 per cent between 2016 and 2024 - Padley, M. and Ellis, W. (2024). Sight loss and the minimum cost of living: 2024 update paper. Loughborough University.

RNIB is urging the UK Government to take action to address the long-standing barriers blind and partially sighted people face finding and maintaining employment by:

• Placing greater focus on addressing attitudes in the workplace and educating employers to ensure their recruitment practices, workplace environments and career development opportunities are inclusive.
• Improve the Access to Work scheme so it better meets the needs of blind and partially sighted people by reducing application and renewal delays, speeding up the process for claiming ongoing support costs, improving accessibility throughout the scheme, and ensuring people receive the support they need to enter, remain in and progress in work.