The Cost of Living and Sight Loss: Financial Pressures, Independence and Wellbeing in 2026
September 2026
Rising living costs are increasing the financial pressure on blind and partially sighted people, many of whom already face additional and unavoidable costs to remain safe and independent. RNIB carried out this research to understand how these pressures are affecting people’s finances, independence and wellbeing.
Our approach
We used a mixed methods approach, speaking with 362 blind and partially sighted people, 356 people took part in a survey either online or by telephone, as well as six one to one interviews.
Key statistics
- 1 in 5 blind and partially sighted people are struggling financially.
- Nearly 3 in 4 are worried about the cost of living.
- More than 2 in 5 could not afford an unexpected £850 bill.
- Only around 1 in 8 say disability benefits fully cover the extra costs associated with sight loss.
- More than half say rising energy costs have affected their wellbeing.
What we found out
Rising costs are putting people under pressure
Rising living costs are adding to the financial pressures already experienced by blind and partially sighted people. Working-age participants were particularly affected and were more than twice as likely as those aged 65 and over to report financial difficulty. Many participants had little financial buffer for unexpected costs and were worried that their situation would get worse.
Sight loss comes with additional costs
Some blind and partially sighted people report additional costs due to relying on taxis, lighting, heating and powered assistive technology to remain safe, mobile and independent. Inaccessible price information and changing supermarket layouts can also make shopping around for cheaper options more difficult.
Disability benefits are not going far enough
Disability benefits provide vital support, but many participants were using them to cover essentials such as energy, transport, rent and other everyday living costs.
Almost half said their benefits only sometimes, rarely or never covered the additional costs associated with sight loss. Only around one in eight said these costs were completely covered.
Financial pressure is affecting independence and wellbeing
The impact goes beyond household finances. Participants described cutting back on heating, lighting, transport, equipment and support, including things they needed to stay safe and independent.
High transport costs made it harder to access work, healthcare and social activities. Rising energy costs also increased stress and anxiety, left some people colder at home and contributed to isolation. Some participants had delayed or gone without aids, adaptations and support related to their sight loss.
Read the full report
Read the full report to explore the findings in more detail and hear directly from blind and partially sighted people about their experiences.
This report includes participants' experiences of financial hardship, social isolation and mental wellbeing. Some readers may find this content upsetting.
Get support
If you are worried about money or need advice about benefits and the cost of living, RNIB can help.