What is being registered blind? You may be registered blind if you are disabled and have severe difficulties seeing. You may then be eligible for concessions and benefits. This Your Benefits article will walk you through everything you need to know about being registered blind.

What does registered blind mean?

You may be considered registered blind. Indeed, the ‘registration’ part of it is simple. It means that you are on your local service’s register. Moreover, you are indicated as being blind in this register.

You may be unsure what benefits you qualify for. If this is the case, Your-Benefits can help. We offer a free simulator that can calculate what and how much you may receive. Additionally, our advisers are available to help you save on all of your bills. Indeed, this includes your electricity, water, phone bill… Simply ask to be called back, and they will help you in reducing them.

Lastly, we offer a service to take care of your administrative tasks for you. This is so you have more time to do the things that you love. 

How to get registered blind

There are multiple steps linked with being registered blind. First, you must visit an eye specialist. You may go visit your general practitioner (GP), an optometrist or a high street optician.

Then, if it is required, they will refer you to an eye clinic. Indeed, there, an ophthalmologist will look at the health of your eyes. Additionally, they will look at how well you can see.

Second, the ophthalmologist will take a decision. Indeed, they will choose if you certify as being severely visually impaired (blind). Then, if they judge that you can certify, you will receive a certificate. 

The form is called different things depending on where you live. If you live in England or Wales, its name is CVI (Certificate of Vision Impairment). If you live in Northern Ireland, its name is A655. Lastly, those living in Scotland will receive the CVI (Scotland) form.

I got my certificate, what now?

After receiving your certificate, you should be contacted by your local social services team. Indeed, they will ask you if you want to be put in their register of blind and partially sighted people. Simply say ‘yes’ to then be registered.

If you live in Scotland, you may know that the new Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) Scotland form replaces the BP1 form. Indeed, people under 16 years old may not get the CVI. They are eligible for other help.

Afterwards, your local social services will notify you to do a needs assessment. It is also called a Social Care and Rehabilitation Assessment. Indeed, its goal is to find out what you need in order to keep your independence.

Why should I register as being blind?

There are a lot of reasons to register as being blind. First, because you will be able to claim a range of benefits and advantages. Indeed, this includes the following:

• Help paying for NHS costs;
• A reduced Council Tax bill;
  • This can include tax allowances;
• Free public transport;
• Leisure discounts;
• 50% off your TV Licence.

What you can receive depends on your situation. Indeed, it mainly depends on whether you are severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted). Note that you are not automatically entitled to benefits because you are registered. However, claiming some benefits will be made easier. Indeed, your registration is further evidence of your sight loss to your benefits claim.

Registered blind benefits in the UK

There are a number of concessions and benefits you could be able to earn when registered blind. Furthermore, being registered will help in claiming these benefits. Here are some benefits and concessions you could earn if registered as severely sight impaired (blind):

• Blue Badge scheme (help with parking your car closer to your destination);
• Reduction on your TV licence fee;
• A free NHS eye examination;
• Council Tax disability reduction (if you live in Northern Ireland, this is Disabled Person’s Allowance);
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP);
• Housing Benefit;
• Carer’s Allowance;
• Attendance Allowance (AA);
• Disabled Persons Railcard;
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA);
• Tax Credits;
• Blind Person’s Tax Allowance;
• Council Tax Support (if you live in Northern Ireland, this is Housing Benefit rate relief);
• Universal Credit;
• Free galleries, theatre and tourist attraction tickets;
• Pension Credit.

Note that this is not everything that you may be entitled to, only a number of benefits and concessions. Additionally, you may find a complete list on the RNIB website. Furthermore, if you are not sure what benefits you qualify for, Your Benefits can help. Indeed, we offer a free service that can calculate exactly how much aid you are entitled to. Indeed, you will be able to see how much more you could be earning. And again, it’s free!

PIP for registered blind

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit that helps with daily living costs and mobility needs. Indeed, this includes for people with sight loss. 

PIP has two components: a daily living component and a mobility component. You can earn one or both of these components. Additionally, you may earn the basic or enhanced rate. They are as follows:

To determine your eligibility, a point system is used. Indeed, a health care professional will look at your claim. Moreover, they will determine if more information is required.

You may already receive the Disability Living Allowance (DLA). However, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) replaced DLA for those between 16 years old and State Pension age. Then, if this is your age, you will need to claim PIP.

Am I eligible for Attendance Allowance (AA) if registered blind?

You may be eligible to earn an Attendance Allowance (AA) if you are registered blind. Indeed, you have reached State Pension age. Furthermore, you must not already be receiving the DLA or PIP. 

The Attendance Allowance (AA) is meant for those who need help with daily tasks during the day, night, or both. Indeed, you may need daily supervision to make sure you do not hurt yourself. If this is the case, you likely qualify.

Am I eligible for Universal Credit if registered blind?

Universal Credit is a benefit meant to replace a number of means-tested benefits. More specifically, it replaces the following:

• Housing Benefit;
• Child Tax Credit;
• Working Tax Credit;
• Income Support;
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA);
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

With Universal Credit, you can earn a standard allowance plus extra payments. Indeed, extra payments are meant for those in certain circumstances. Then, if you are registered blind, you likely qualify.

Additionally, note that you may not make a claim for the old benefits that Universal Credit is replacing. Indeed, you may only apply to Universal Credit. However, you may have already been receiving the other benefits. In this case, you may keep receiving the other benefits. 

Am I eligible for Pension Credit if registered blind?

You may be eligible to earn Pension Credit. Indeed, this could be the case if you reached State Pension age. Then, your weekly income could be low enough, which would qualify you for Guarantee Pension Credit.  

You may have reached State Pension age on or prior to 6 April 2016. If this is the case, you may receive Savings Pension Credit. Indeed, this is if you have a pretty important retirement savings or income.