FAQs

Attendance Allowance (AA), is a benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to people of state pension age and over who need help with personal care because of a disability or health problem, such as sight loss. You don't have to be registered as blind (severely sight impaired) or partially sighted (sight impaired) to make a claim, and it does not matter how much income you receive or savings you have. You also don't need to have anyone looking after you to get AA.

To get AA you must show that you need help because of your disability, even if you are not actually receiving any help. You will only qualify when you have needed help for at least six months. If you already get Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, you cannot get AA as well.

There are two levels of AA. If you need help during the day or during the night you may qualify for the lower rate. If you need help during both the day and night you may qualify for the higher rate. For more information go to Attendance Allowance: How to claim - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Blind Person's Allowance is added to your tax-free Personal Allowance and increases the amount of income you can have each year before you start paying tax. You must be registered with your local council as severely sight impaired (SSI) and have a certificate of vision impairment (CVI) to be able to claim blind persons tax allowance. For more information visit Blind Person's Allowance: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

A CVI is the document that formally certifies someone as severely sight impaired (SSI) – blind or sight impaired (SI) – partially sighted. Your GP or optician may make a referral for you to see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) who will carry out an assessment to measure your vision. They will decide if you are eligible to be certified as SSI or SI and will complete a CVI.

Eccentric viewing (EV) and steady eye strategy (SES) are techniques to help people with central vision loss use their remaining vision more effectively. It can help with daily activities like reading, getting about, cooking, looking after yourself or watching TV.

EV involves using your best point of vision to maximise detail and learning how to use it effectively. SES is a technique specifically for reading. It requires the person to keep their gaze still, and scroll text right to left, through their best point of vision.

If you have a macular eye condition the Macular Society run free courses on EV and SES. You can call them on 0300 3030 111 or email [email protected]

For more information visit Skills for seeing - Macular Society.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet are important for general wellbeing and protecting against many health conditions. Diet is thought to be important because certain nutrients protect the body against substances called 'oxidants'. Many of the vitamins and minerals found in a healthy diet are called antioxidants.

Most research has focused on vitamins A, C and E. These are thought to maintain healthy cells and tissues in the eye. They are found in many fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, tomatoes and in green leafy vegetables. They can also be found in nuts, seeds, dairy products, and other food types. For more information on how to keep your eyes healthy visit Ten Steps to Healthy Eyes | Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The guide dog service is potentially available to any adult or child who is visually impaired, if you meet the criteria. You can find more detailed information on Information on the Guide Dogs services | Guide Dogs

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a non means tested benefit for people of working age with a disability. Because it is non-means tested it doesn't matter if you are working or how much you earn. PIP has replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) except for children aged under 16 years old. It is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

You do not have to be registered as severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted) to claim PIP, it is how your sight affects your daily living that counts. It can be beneficial if you are registered as it provides the evidence to demonstrate how serious your sight problem is. However, you can provide alternative evidence, such as a letter from your consultant or GP.

For more information go to Personal Independence Payment (PIP): What PIP is for - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

A Rehabilitation Officer for the Blind (ROVI) is provided by your local authority, or a local organisation acting on their behalf, to enable you to learn or re-learn some of the essential daily living and mobility skills which have been affected by your sight loss. They can help you with things like cooking safely and training to use a mobility cane for you to get out and about independently.