Benefits & concessions

What benefits may I be able to claim?

Attendance Allowance

Designed to help people over state pension age who have a disability or health condition that requires personal care or supervision. It is a non-means-tested benefit, so your savings or income won't affect your claim.

Attendance allowance is paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability or health condition. If you claim Attendance Allowance you may also be entitled to other benefits like Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or a Council Tax Reduction.

You can find more information on Attendance Allowance here.

Blind Person's Allowance (BPA)

A tax allowance that allows individuals who are registered blind or severely sight impaired to earn more before they pay tax on it. It is added to your yearly personal allowance. You can transfer your BPA to your spouse or civil partner if you do not pay tax or cannot use all of it.

You can only claim BPA if you have a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) AND are ‘register’ with your local council. See our FAQ for more information on both processes.

You can find more information on Blind Person’s Allowance here.

Carers Allowance (CA)

A benefit to support people who look after someone with a disability or long-term illness. CA recognises the vital role that carers play and provides financial assistance to help with the costs that can arise from caring responsibilities.

If you receive a qualifying disability benefit, and someone spends at least 35 hours a week caring for you, they may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance.

They can find more information on Carers Allowance here.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

The DLA is a tax-free benefit for the disabled to help with the cost of mobility and care.

Please Note - DLA is gradually being replaced with Personal Independence Payment (PIP). If you are already receiving DLA, you’ll continue to get it for as long as you’re eligible. Those aged under 16 can still make a claim for DLA.

You can find more information on Disability Living Allowance here.

Pension Credit

A means-tested benefit aimed at people over state pension age who are on a low income. Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your essential living costs such as food, bills and housing.

Pension credit is made up of two parts: guarantee credit and savings credit. You may be eligible for one or both. If you or your partner receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and your electricity supplier is part of the Warm Home Discount scheme, you could receive a one-off payment in the winter to reduce your electricity bill.

You can find more information on Pension Credit here.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

A tax-free benefit for people aged between 16 and state pension age who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that affects their ability to carry out everyday tasks or move around. PIP is designed to help with some of the extra costs caused by long-term ill-health or disability. The rate received depends on how your condition affects you.

You can find more information on Personal Independence Payment here.

Universal Credit

A payment to help with living costs for those on a low income, out of work or who cannot work. You must be aged between 18 and the State Pension age and have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments in order to be eligible.

You can find more information on Universal Credit here.

Concessions

There are several concessions available to people with sight loss, which can help with extra costs related to your disability. Most will not automatically be awarded, you will need to apply.

Blue Badge Parking Permit

An initiative to help people with limited mobility to park closer to where they want to go, in disabled parking bays and sometimes on yellow lines.

If you are registered as severely sight impaired (blind) you automatically qualify for a blue badge. You do not have to be a driver or own a car to apply for a blue badge, but you do have to be travelling in the car when the blue badge is used.

You may still be eligible for a blue badge if you are registered as sight impaired but have additional health conditions. Your local council will assess your application.

You can contact Northumberland County Council on 03456006400

If your application is successful, there is a £10 charge for the blue badge.

Apply online: Blue badges - GOV.UK

Disabled and companion bus pass

If you live in Northumberland and are blind or partially sighted, you can apply for a free bus pass.

You will need to provide proof of identity, your address and a passport sized colour photograph. Evidence of eligibility is needed and can be:

Copy of your Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI).
Confirmation that you are registered with the local authority as blind or partially sighted.
A letter from an eye specialist confirming that you are blind or partially sighted.

If you are unable to travel alone, you may be eligible for a companion pass, this can be a carer, relative or friend. See Northumberland County Council’s website for the full criteria.

If you received a pass, you could travel within Northumberland for free all day, any day.

You can also travel outside Northumberland for free on any off-peak local bus in England and cross-board bus routes between Northumberland and Scotland as long as the journey begins and ends in England.

To find out more contact Northumberland County Council on 0345 600 6400 or email concessionarytravel@northumberland.gov.uk.

Apply online: Apply or renew disabled and companion bus passes | Northumberland County Council

Disabled Person’s Railcard

If you’re registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired, you’re eligible for a Disabled Person’s Railcard. This enables you and the person that you’re travelling with to get a third off ticket prices.

You will have to provide proof of your eligibility:

Social Services official stamp, or
Copy of your CVI

The railcard costs £20 per year.

For more information visit the Disabled Persons Railcard website or call 0345 605 0525.

Apply online: Disabled Person’s Railcard

TV Licence blind concession

A 50% concession on your TV Licence if you are registered as severely sight impaired (blind). Unfortunately, this does not apply to those registered as partially sighted (sight impaired).

To claim the reduction, the TV licence must be in the name of the person register as blind.

Apply online: TV licence blind concession

Leisure and entertainment concessions

Some sport venues, theatres, museums, cinemas or places of interest offer concessions to disabled people and, occasionally, companion tickets.

Before visiting, contact the venue you’re interested in to see what concessions they offer and what accessible services they provide to make your experience more enjoyable.

NHS Eye Tests

If you’re registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired, you are entitled to regular free NHS eye examinations.

Regular eye exams are essential, even if you’ve already experienced sight loss. They serve as a crucial health check, helping to identify early signs of other conditions before any noticeable symptoms appear. It’s recommended to have your eyes tested at least once every two years, though your optometrist might advise more frequent visits based on your individual needs.