Financial Benefits for Deafblind/Visually Impaired People
Under state pension age:
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Adult Disability Payment – 2 parts daily living & mobility (not means tested)
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Self Directed Support - If you are eligible for social care support, you can play a role deciding how it is organised and provided. You can work with your local council to personalise your care and support around what you need and want.
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Universal Credit – means tested. Helps with housing costs. Additional disability premiums if unable to work
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Employment & Support Allowance - if unable to work
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Access to Work – additional support to help you stay in work
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Blind Persons Tax Allowance – if you are a tax payer & registered for sight loss
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Blue Badge – if you are registered severely sight impaired or have mobility issues
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TV License Concession - 50% reduction if registered severely sight impaired
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Cinema Card (CEA CARD) - free companion ticket if you're on PIP, ADP or registered as sight impaired.
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If you have a Carer who cares for you for at least 35 hours per week they can apply for Carers Allowance as long as they do not earn over £151 per week, however this can affect your benefits, for example Severe Disability Premium would be removed.
Over state pension age:
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Pension Age Disability Payment (previously Attendance Allowance) – if you are struggling with daily living and/or have night time needs. Not means tested
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Self Directed Support - If you are eligible for social care support, you can play a role deciding how it is organised and provided. You can work with your local council to personalise your care and support around what you need and want.
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Pension Credit – means tested. Tops up basic state pension giving you extra money to live on. You may get this even if you have some savings
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Housing benefit – means tested. If you rent your house & have a low income
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Council Tax Reduction – means tested. If you have a low income or receive Pension Credit
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TV Licence – free if on Pension Credit. Half price if registered severely sight impaired
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Blind Persons Tax Allowance – if you are a tax payer & registered for sight loss
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Blue Badge – if you are registered severely sight impaired or have mobility issues
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Cinema Card (CEA CARD) - free companion ticket if you're on PIP, ADP or registered as sight impaired.
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If you have a Carer who cares for you for at least 35 hours per week they can apply for Carers Allowance as long as they do not earn over £151 per week, however this can affect your benefits, for example Severe Disability Premium would be removed.
Financial Benefits for Deafblind/Visually Impaired People
Blue Badge Scheme
If you have problems with mobility, you may be able to get a blue badge to enable you to park your car near shops, at hospitals or other places you wish to visit. To automatically qualify for a blue badge, you must meet one of the following criteria:
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you are registered Blind/Severely Sight Impaired
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you receive higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance.
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you have been awarded 8 points or more in the ‘moving around’ activity or 12 points in the ‘planning and following journeys activity of PIP or ADP
You may also qualify if you meet one of the following criteria:
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you have a permanent/substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
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you are unable to walk or virtually unable to walk because of a temporary but substantial disability which is likely to last for at least 12 months but less than 3 years.
A Blue Badge costs £20 in Scotland and is valid for 3 years. You must reapply for a Blue Badge before your current one expires.
You must be in the car when the blue badge is used.
Apply or renew online
You will need:
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proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate or passport )
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proof of address (such as a Council Tax bill or government letter)
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proof of benefits (if you get any)
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your National Insurance number
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the details of your current Blue Badge (if you’re reapplying)
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List of medication (if not Severely Sight Impaired)
You can apply online at: www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge
Where can you park, displaying your blue badge:
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Disabled parking bays
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Parking meters
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Pay & display bays
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Single or double yellow lines if safe to do so & no loading restrictions
You cannot usually use your blue badge in multi storey or private car parks. Always check the notices first.
Blue badges can also be used in England & Wales as long as you use the parking clock alongside it.
Travel Concessions
Local authorities in Scotland issue the National Entitlement Card. To apply for the card, please contact your local authority or contact Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT). You will then need to complete an application form. For further information, visit https://www.nec.scot/
You are entitled to a travel card regardless of your age if you:
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Receive middle or high rate care DLA
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Receive high rate mobility DLA
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Receive daily living part of PIP or ADP
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Receive Attendance Allowance
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Are a blue badge holder
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Registered for sight loss
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Have a mental health condition
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Are profoundly deaf
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Are told not to drive because of a medical condition
You are entitled to a companion (+1 next to the eye symbol) if you:
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Receive middle or high rate care DLA
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Receive PIP or ADP
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Receive Attendance Allowance
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Are registered blind
If you are registered for sight loss you can have an eye symbol added to your travel card which gives you free travel on bus, train, Edinburgh tram and concessions on ferries.
Road Tax (click here to find out more information from Gov.uk)
You may be exempt from road tax if you receive enhanced mobility of PIP or ADP or high rate mobility DLA. 50% discount if you receive standard mobility. You still need to apply using a V10 form.
Cost of Living Information
As prices continue to rise making small changes can help your money stretch further. Here are some suggestions:
VAT relief (click here to find out more information from Gov.uk)
You can claim VAT relief on products adapted for your disability, repairs & maintenance on your home etc.
Articles for the blind postage (click here for more information from Royal Mail)
Allows you to send certain items of post free of charge, items included in the free first class postage are:
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books, printed materials, letters, relief maps
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audio and electronic media
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equipment such as magnifiers and mobility aids
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All envelopes must be written or stamps with "Articles for the Blind"
Paid if you are aged 67 and over and are also receiving a means tested benefit like Pension Credit or Universal Credit. The amount paid varies from £200 to £300 depending on your age.
More information from the Government here: https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
Home owners could be eligible for a grant for a new central heating system, boiler or insulation if on a low income and receive benefits. Contact them on: 0808 808 2282 or www.homeenergyscotland.org
Can provide emergency fuel vouchers worth up to £49 for people who have no heating. These can be applied for by phoning: 0300 1237 597 Voucher will be sent by email, text or letter to be used at a paypoint or post office. You can apply up to 3 times per year.
Phone 0141 226 3064 or visit www.eas.org.uk
One third of all households are now in fuel poverty
Heat escapes through: Roof, windows, walls, floors
What would help?
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Draught proof windows, doors and cracks in skirting boards
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Contact energy provider about insulation.
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Keep curtains closed to keep heat in room
COST OF RUNNING COMMON APPLIANCES
To reduce costs consider:
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Reducing amount of time spent in shower
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Using a slow cooker or air fryer instead of oven
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Only filling kettle with enough water for your needs
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Reducing temperature in washing machine and always put a full load on
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Limiting use of tumble dryer
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Phone on charge costs less than 0.1p and it is very important to keep your phone charged at all times
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Remember to turn off appliances on standby. This could save you £45 - £75 per year
WINTER TIPS TO KEEP WARM & SAVE ENERGY
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Remember to try to save energy by switching off lights and appliances on standby.
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Check you are on the best tariff for gas and electricity
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Get your central heating serviced
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Check settings on radiators and thermostat
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Bleed radiators to maximise heat and remove items in front of radiators
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Turn down radiators in rooms you are not using and keep doors closed
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Turn off unnecessary lights
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Minimum room temperature should be 18 degrees and no more than 20 degrees
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Use simple measures to reduce draughts in your home eg letterbox, windows, skirting boards
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Keep windows and curtains closed to keep the heat in.
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Make sure you are on the Priority Service register for vulnerable people with your energy company
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Wear multiple layers of thinner clothing and a hat.
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Consider a heated throw which is not expensive to use or a fleece blanket
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Have regular hot drinks and food.
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Find warm spaces to go near your home
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Move around regularly or do chair exercises
HEALTH
Make sure you have plenty of flu and cold medicines in the house and order repeat prescriptions on time. If you feel unwell outwith GP hours contact NHS on 111 for advice.
Make sure you have stocked up on food especially tins and freezer food in case you cannot get out in bad weather.
If you need any help with financial matters or are struggling to pay your bills, please contact Helen, Dawn or Jojo for a benefit check and we can help you to access specialist advice and support
Phone: 0141 777 5835
Email: wr@dbscsotland.org.uk
USEFUL NUMBERS
DbS Welfare Rights Team (Helen & Dawn) - 0141 777 5835
Carers Advice Fife Project (Jojo) – 07950 936114
Citizens Advice Scotland – 0800 028 1456
Age Scotland – 0800 124 4222
Step Change Debt Advice – 0800 138 1111
Free Home Fire Safety Visit – 0800 0731 999
Emergency number if you have a power cut – 105
National Gas Emergency Line – 0800 111 999
Cinnamon Trust – can walk dogs for elderly people if unable to do this themselves due to ill health, bad weather etc - 01736 757 900