Are you getting the benefits you are entitled to?

Research carried out by Loughborough University has revealed that a staggering 24 per cent of blind and partially sighted people have either never claimed the disability benefit they may be entitled to or have not challenged a decision refusing them this benefit.

For this reason, RNIB has launched a take-up campaign encouraging blind and partially sighted people to check if they are eligible for a disability benefit.

• Disability Living Allowance (for children up to the age of 16)
• Child Disability Payment (in Scotland for those aged up to 18)
• Personal Independence Payment (for those aged 16 up to pension age)
• Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland for adults up to pension age)
• Attendance Allowance (for those making a claim over pension age)

The reasons people are not claiming their rightful disability benefits are varied, but they include the following:

• a lack of knowledge of the benefit system, often due to;
• a lack of accessible information on benefits and;
• very lengthy forms and what can feel like;
• very difficult claim processes along with;
• worries about being judged negatively for making a benefit claim.

RNIB want to make sure everyone who is blind or partially sighted gets the benefit they deserve, especially given how important these entitlements are in coping with the extra costs created by having a disability.

If you are refused benefit, you can challenge the decision. For those people who do challenge, there is a high likelihood that the refusal decision will be reversed. 68% percent of PIP appeals alone are changed in the claimants’ favour.

We therefore strongly recommend anyone who claims but is initially refused a disability benefit to contact RNIB for advice and assistance. Find out more about Challenging benefits decisions.

If you would like any more information about Benefit Appeals, you can speak to our Sight Loss Advice service by calling our Helpline on 0303 1239 999.

Our advisors can also carry out a full benefit check with you and give advice about applying for other benefits you may be missing out on.