Working people with visual impairment to receive…

Working people with visual impairment to receive additional tax boost from next April

The latest figures from the Treasury suggest there were 36,900 people in work claiming the Blind Person’s Allowance in 2021-22. The Blind Person's Allowance provides an extra amount of tax-free earnings for individuals who are registered as blind and is set at £2,600 for 2022-23.

However, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt recently announced in the Autumn Statement that the Blind Person’s Allowance will be uprated by the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) figure of 10.1% for 2023-24, increasing the tax-free amount to £2,870. And the best bit is, if you and your spouse or civil partner are both eligible, you will each get the allowance boost.

You can also transfer your Blind Person’s Allowance to your spouse or civil partner if you do not pay tax or earn enough to use all of your allowance. There are approximately 84,500 registered blind and partially sighted people of working age in the UK.

Recent research found that blind and partially sighted people rated employment as the second biggest barrier they face in living their lives.

The UK Government said that it recognises that blind and partially sighted people are significantly less likely to be in paid employment than the general population or other disabled people.

Just one in four registered blind and partially sighted people are in employment, and this figure hasn’t significantly changed in a generation.

Eligibility for Blind Person's Allowance

The eligibility rules for the Blind Person’s Allowance are different, depending on where you live in the UK.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

You can claim Blind Person’s Allowance if both of the following apply:

You cannot do work for which eyesight is essential
You have a certificate that says you’re blind or severely sight impaired from your local authority - or a similar document from your doctor

England and Wales

You can claim Blind Person’s Allowance if both of the following apply:

You are registered with your local council as blind or severely sight impaired
You have a certificate that says you’re blind or severely sight impaired - or a similar document from your doctor

Blind person’s Allowance in real-terms

The standard Personal Allowance is £12,570, which is the amount of income you do not have to pay tax on.

To calculate Blind Person’s Allowance for 2022-23, you simply add the separate rate on to the standard rate - £12,570 and £2,600 - giving you a bigger allowance of £15,170.

How to claim Blind Person’s Allowance

Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to claim on 0300 200 3301 - lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Find out more about Blind Person’s Allowance on GOV.UK here.

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