Benefits, tax and discounts with sight loss
Blind Person's Allowance, PIP, Attendance Allowance, DLA for children, the half-price TV licence and bus passes, and where to get help claiming.
Registration opens doors
Being certified and registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired is the key to most of the support below. The registration guide explains how it works. Most benefits still depend on how your sight affects daily life, not on the label alone.
Blind Person's Allowance
An extra tax-free allowance added to your Personal Allowance, so you earn more before paying Income Tax. It is £3,250 for the 2026 to 2027 tax year. In England and Wales you need to be registered with your council as blind or severely sight impaired and have the certificate. In Scotland and Northern Ireland you qualify if you cannot do work for which eyesight is essential. If you do not use all of it you can transfer it to a spouse or civil partner. Claim by phoning HMRC.
Personal Independence Payment
PIP helps with extra living costs if you have a long-term condition and difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around. It has a daily living part and a mobility part, and you can get it while working or with savings. Reading, managing medicines, preparing food and moving around outside are all on the list of activities assessed. In Scotland the equivalent is Adult Disability Payment.
Attendance Allowance
For people of State Pension age who need help with personal care because of a disability or health condition, including sight loss. It does not cover mobility and you do not need to have a carer to claim. Getting it can increase Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction. In Scotland apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead.
Children
Disability Living Allowance for children can help with the extra costs of a child under 16 who needs much more looking after than other children of the same age. In Scotland apply for Child Disability Payment.
Discounts
- TV licence: 50 per cent off if you are registered blind (severely sight impaired) or live with someone who is. The licence must be in the blind person's name.
- Bus pass: a disabled person's pass gives free off-peak bus travel in England. Apply through your council. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own schemes.
- Railcard: the Disabled Persons Railcard gives a third off rail fares for you and a companion.
- Council tax and parking: ask your council about a Blue Badge and council tax reductions.
Getting help to claim
Forms are long and the questions matter. RNIB's helpline on 0303 123 9999 and local sight loss charities help people fill them in, and Citizens Advice does the same. Rates and rules change every April, so check GOV.UK for the current figures.
Charities which help with claimsCommon questions
Is Blind Person's Allowance paid to me?
No. It is extra tax-free allowance added to your Personal Allowance, so you keep more of what you earn. It is £3,250 for the 2026 to 2027 tax year and can be transferred to a spouse or civil partner.
Can I get PIP if I work?
Yes. PIP does not depend on income or savings. It depends on how your condition affects everyday tasks and getting around.
Who helps with the forms?
RNIB on 0303 123 9999, your local sight loss charity and Citizens Advice all help people complete benefit claims.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Blind Person's Allowance
- GOV.UK: Personal Independence Payment
- GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance
- GOV.UK: DLA for children
- GOV.UK: free or discounted TV licence
- GOV.UK: disabled person's bus pass
Checked 4 October 2026. Official pages change, so follow the NHS page for the current position.
- Written by
- The Omnirx.io team, from the NHS pages above
- Sources checked
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Glanced (2026) Benefits, tax and discounts with sight loss. Omnirx.io team for Medstack Ltd. Available at: https://www.glanced.co.uk/nhs/money/ (Accessed: ).
Educational information, not medical advice. Your own eye-care team's advice comes first.