Navigating the cost of living crisis for those with sight loss.
The UK Government’s recent announcement concerning further support to enable individuals, families and businesses to navigate the cost of living crisis was understandably and rightly overshadowed by the death of Her late Majesty the queen. However, it is an issue of great concern to many, including those who are vision impaired. In this blog, we explore how vision impaired people can most effectively navigate the cost of living crisis.
The core theme to this blog is maximising income. This is of course a concern to all of us. But if you’re vision impaired, this is even more important, as the need to spend money can be greater than it is for others. For example, one might need to take taxis when others might not. Don’t be too proud. If support is available, take it.
Maximising benefit income
The RNIB highlight that some £15 billion is left unclaimed in means-tested benefits every year. In addition, many vision impaired people choose not to apply for disability-related benefits, such as Personal Independent Allowance or ‘PIP’, even if these aren’t means-tested and they meet the required threshold. It is vital that vision impaired people claim what they are entitled to in the current climate. The following benefits and financial support that are available are as follows:
Personal Independent Allowance
Disability Living Allowance for Children
Health conditions, Disability and Universal Credit
Check your tax code
Check that the correct tax code is being applied and that you are taking advantage of the marriage tax allowance and/or blind persons tax allowance. The marriage allowance enables you to transfer £1,260 of your personal allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner. The blind persons tax allowance, which applies to those who are registered as severely sight impaired, increases your personal tax allowance by £2,600.
Register if you can
The most important thing you can do is register as either sight impaired or severely sight impaired depending on the amount of vision you do or don’t have. Being registered gives you access to a range of benefits, which ultimately could save a significant amount of money. These include free bus passes and easy access to a disabled adult railcard giving you a 33 % reduction on all train fares. These may seem small savings. But in the current climate, every penny counts. Please follow the links below and explore the help on offer:
- A reduction in the TV licence fee
- Help with NHS costs
- Help with Council Tax and tax allowances
- Reduced fees on public transport
- Parking concessions