Being eligible for benefits

[SpaceBend]

Hi so after all my surgeries. I’m still in pain and still have no use for my right eye my left eye has a loss of field of vision.

I’m not blind yet but my sight is severely impaired

I would like to know what constitutes sight impaired to the government and whether I can claim anything.

Or point me towards somewhere I could get answers for this

Some good must come out of this.

Thank you

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello Royn. I have attached a fact sheet that explains what the specifications are to be registered as partially sighted/visually impaired. You can lso discuss with your consultant as to whether they feel you reach the criteria.

rnib.org.uk/eye-health/regi...

[Astilbe in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Trish, the link you supplied is not a fact sheet. I cannot find a fact sheet from following this link either.

rnib.org.uk/eye-health/regi...

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to Astilbe]

Thank you for telling me. It must have changed since a posted the link. I'll amend the information.

rnib.org.uk/eye-health/regi...

[Longwalks3]

I do hope you get the support you need. It sounds as if you have had a really rough time.

[Stairs10]

Hi RoyN

Nothing to add to what's already been said. Just sending you best wishes and hope this gets sorted very soon for you.

[blackdog76]

I am in a situation as you with one eye shot and other very poor. I insisted that I be given a certificate and I was pronounced severely vision impaired last November and have my certificate to prove it.

You are then entitled to a blue badge, half price TV licence, attendances allowance (£60 to £95 a week), if you are over retirement age, and an increase in your tax free allowance of your income. The RNIB website has all the links to what you can get. I does not replace being able to see well, but remember 95% of those on the blind register still have some sight.

My thoughts are with you: we are all brothers and sisters in arms.

[SpaceBend in reply to blackdog76]

Hi thank you. After some Googling found some resources.

I’m much younger than the pension age so I guess the tax benefit is the only thing I can look forward to ? Anything in regards to public transport outside London like fast trains etc?

Thank you for your support we are brothers and sisters in arms indeed ..

[blackdog76]

If you are under retirements age you cam get PIP, everything else applies. When you get certified a copy is sent to your local authority and they will contact and assess any needs. none of this is means tested, it's your reward for being blind LOL!

I'm pretty sure you can get a bus/travel pass as well. And the blue badge is very useful and applies to you not the car you are in, so partner, friends, etc can use it if you are with them.

Good luck and don't shy from asking questions and requesting your rights.

[Anonoms]

Don't rely on your local authority contacting you. In our area there is a two year delay. You need to self refer and seek assistance if things are taking too long. If your hospital has an ECLO they might be able to help.

[Jennymary]

I'm in the West Country and was registered blind in 2017 I've got a free bus pass even though I'm under 60, also there's a, sensory support service in my area so might be worth to see if there's one in your area,

[Longwalks3]

I got a free bus/train pass for use in the West Midlands Region from my local authority once DVLA has withdrawn my driving licence. I had to apply but there were no quibbles - just had to send the letter from DVLA saying I was no longer allowed to drive. I am under pension age.

[SpaceBend in reply to Longwalks3]

Thank you so much for your help. Naturally I’m a bit apprehensive on requesting this as it’s a sort of an admission of failure. Also, I’m under the external disease clinic because of my cornea graft.can I just ask them rather than my somewhat usual doctors at the glaucoma clinic ? Sorry I’m sure this is all on Google but it’s nice to ask people who have gone through this.

[Longwalks3 in reply to SpaceBend]

You don't need to be apprehensive about claiming things that help. I use my bus/train pass a lot to get around and feel smugly green whilst doing so!

[Longwalks3 in reply to Longwalks3]

By all means ask the external disease clinic and I hope someone will be able to advise you about applying for support. Asking for help is not an admission of failure. We all need help from time to time with aspects of our life. Sometimes the hardest thing is accepting the assistance we need but it's really important to keep living the fullest life you can.