If you live in England you may be able to claim Blind Person’s Allowance if you’re registered with your local council as blind or severely sight impaired and you have a certificate that says you’re blind or severely sight impaired.
Blind Person’s Allowance is an extra amount of tax-free allowance. It is added to your tax-free Personal Allowance and increases the amount of income you can have each year before you start paying tax. The Blind Person’s Allowance for the tax year 2024-25 is £3,070, regardless of your age or income.
You have to claim the Blind Person’s Allowance – it won’t be given to you automatically. Claims can be backdated by up to four tax years, so if you can prove you were registered blind or severely sight impaired in or before the 2020-21 tax year you could benefit by up to £2,588 if you pay tax at the basic rate of 20%.
You can transfer the Blind Person’s Allowance, or the unused part of it, to your spouse or civil partner if you don’t pay tax or can’t use all of it. This can be done whether or not they are blind. If both you and your spouse or civil partner qualify for Blind Person’s Allowance you can claim an allowance each.
For anyone living with sight loss in Norfolk our Community Outreach Team are available to provide support understanding and completing paperwork such as Blind Person’s Allowance applications. This support can be provided in person at home. Call 01603 573000 to set up a time to chat with your local Community Outreach Worker.
Additional Resources:
- UK Government: Blind Person’s Allowance – https://www.gov.uk/blind-persons-allowance
- RNIB: Tax Advice – https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/money-and-benefits/money-banking-and-taxes/tax-advice/
