Registering as blind or partially sighted
If you have poor sight, it's a good idea to think about registering as Blind/ Severely Sight Impaired or as Partially Sighted/ Sight Impaired.
You do not have to register as a Blind/ Severely sight impaired or Partially Sighted/ Sight impaired person, but if you do there are benefits and services which you may be entitled to such as the following:
- Working tax credit
- Registration may be taken into account if you claim benefit
- There are increased personal income tax allowances for people who are registered blind, if you don't work allowances can be transferred to a working partner
- Parking concessions (e.g. A blue badge and discs permitting parking in restricted areas)
- Anyone who is registered blind can claim a 50% reduction in the cost of their television licence
- A free radio from the wireless for the blind fund
- Free directory enquiries service from BT
- Talking books from your local library service
- Concessionary travel
- Leisure centre concessions
- Free NHS sight test
- Free postage on items marked 'articles for the blind'
Your consultant can advise you on whether you meet the criteria for registration.
Click here for the Macular Disease Society leaflet on registration and benefits
What is registration?
Each local council keeps a register of blind and partially sighted people living in its area. The register is held by the social services or social work department, or by a local voluntary agency, and is confidential.
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How to register
If you are being seen in hospital you should discuss how to register with your eye specialist or with a hospital social worker. If you are not attending hospital, you should discuss it with your GP, who will refer you to an eye specialist.
When you visit the eye specialist you will have your eyesight checked. If appropriate he/she will certify you as blind or partially sighted by completing a form called the Certificate of Visual Impairment or CVI. This form used to notify Social Services that a person is eligible for registration. The CVI has replaced the old BD8. You will be asked to sign the form and it also needs to be signed by a consultant ophthalmologist.
Registration does not occur on the day the form is completed but only once the form has been processed by Social Services (or an organisation contracted to Social Services to manage the register – in some areas this may be a local voluntary organisation).
The original form will be kept by the hospital and copies will be sent to Social Servicesw, your GP and to a body for the purposes of statistical analysis. You are entitled to request a copy. If you move to a new area it should be possible to transfer a copy to your new local authority, rather than have to be re-registered.
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Help from Social Services
When social services receive your CVI, a social worker should arrange to visit you. They should ask you if there are any services you feel you need. Services for blind and partially sighted people vary from area to area.
In some places there are rehabilitation workers who can teach a range of skills to blind and partially sighted people. These include indoor and outdoor mobility, communication and other skills for daily living.
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For further information go to:
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