Benefits for Visually impaired people
People registered as visually impaired, may be entitled to some of the following benefits, depending upon the severity of their impairment:
A zero fare bus pass (with or without a companion) and a disabled parking permit. For more information apply to:
Wakefield Council Customer Services
Wakefield 1
PO Box 700
Wakefield
WF1 2EB
Tel: 0345 8506 506
Free Telephone Directory Enquiry Service – Contact Sensory Impairment Team for further information.
Talking Books and Newspapers – see ‘Useful Contacts’.
Free loan of Radio, Radio/Cassette or Radio/Cassette/CD Player – (only applicable if you are on certain state benefits) - contact the Sensory Impairment Team for further information.
TV Licence – a 50% reduction in the licence fee is available. Proof of registration will be required. For more information on a 50% reduced TV licence:
- call 0300 790 6071
- typetalk 0300 790 6050
- visit www.tvlicence.co.uk
Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which used to be called Disability Living Allowance and/or Disabled Persons Tax Credit. If you are aged over 65 the equivalent of PIP is called Attendance Allowance. You should apply to your local Department of Work and Pensions Office for more information or visit GOV.uk
Call – 0800 917 2222
Texttalk – 0800 917 7777
Income Tax. You could be entitled to an increased amount of personal allowance for yourself (or spouse) if you are eligible for registration as severely sight impaired. Apply to your local tax office for more information or:
Visit - www.gov.uk/blind-persons-allowance
Telephone: 0300 200 3300
Textphone: 0300 200 3319
Opening times: 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm Saturday
Post - Pay As You Earn, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AS, UK
Useful Contacts
Big Print Britain’s only large print national weekly newspaper.
C/o RNIB Peterborough
Tel: 0845 7023153.Contact direct for complimentary copy and price details.
Action for the Blind
Action for Blind People is a national charity with local reach, providing practical help and support to blind and partially sighted people of all ages. Action can be contacted via the RNIB helpline or their own website. Wherever possible RNIB will ensure you are put in touch with your local Action team.
Helpline Tel: 0303 123 9999
Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk
Website: www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk
Access to Work
Access to Work can help you if your health or disability affects the way you do your job. It gives you and your employer advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of your needs. Check if you qualify for Access to Work.
Jobcentre Plus
Access to Work Operational Support Unit
Anniesland JCP
Baird Street
Glasgow G90 8AN
Tel: 0141 950 5327
Email: atwosu.glasgow@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.GOV.uk
Alternatively, ask the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) at your local Jobcentre Plus about Access to Work.
Calibre
Provide Talking Books on standard cassette tapes/MP3. Application direct from:
Calibre
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP20 1HU
Tel: 01296 432339
Website: www.calibre.org.uk
DIAL Wakefield - The Disability Advisory Service
DIAL Wakefield is an independent advice and information service for disabled people, their carers and their families residing within the boundary of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council. Based in Castleford, they can give help and advice on Disability Benefits and assist with completing application forms.
Advice Line
Opening hours: Monday-Tuesday 10:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00.
Thursday 10:00-12:00.
Office opening hours:
Monday-Thursday 10:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00.
Tel: 01977 723933
Email: advice@dialwakefield.co.uk
Guide Dogs UK
Application for Guide Dog and advice – contact Guide Dogs UK direct.
The Leeds Centre for Blind and Partially Sighted People
Shire View
72 Headingley Lane
Leeds
LS6 2DJ
Tel: 0113 756326
Website: www.guidedogs.org.uk
The Macular Disease Society (MDS)
The Macular Disease Society can put you in touch with local groups for people who have macular disease. The MDS also offers information and training on eccentric viewing and steady eye techniques that can help people with central vision loss to use their residual vision more effectively.
The Macular Disease Society
PO Box 1870
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 9AD
Helpline: 0845 241 2041
Website: www.maculardisease.org
National Federation of the Blind
A nationwide organisation administered by visually impaired people.
Offers guidance on problems related to loss of sight.
Sir John Wilson House
215 Kirkgate
Wakefield
WF1 1JG
Tel: 01924 291313
Email: nbuk@globalnet.co.uk
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
RNIB supply specialist equipment at a subsidised rate. They also provide useful guides and links to other websites for people with a visual impairment.
Applies to both sight impaired and severely sight impaired.
RNIB
PO Box 173
Peterborough
P2 6WS
Tel: 0845 7 023153 (for the price of a local call)
Helpline Tel: 0303 123 9999
Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk
Website: www.rnib.org.uk
RNIB Emotional Support Service
Are you finding it difficult to live with your sight loss? Do you wonder how other people are dealing with similar situations? RNIB organise telephone support groups which can put you in touch with other people with sight loss.
Helpline Tel: 0303 123 9999
Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk
Website: www.rnib.org.uk
Sense (for deafblind people)
Sense, 101 Pentonville Road
London N1 9LG
Website: www.sense.org.uk
Tel: 0300 330 9250
Textphone: 0300 330 9252
Email: info@sense.org.uk
Talking Newspapers
Contact the Sensory Impairment Team at Wakefield District Council via Social Care Direct on 0345 8503 503 for the weekly publications of:
- Wakefield Express
- Normanton Express
- Pontefract and Castleford Express
- Leeds talking newspaper
Retina UK
Retina UK is the national charity for families living with inherited retinal dystrophies. We fund research and provide information and support to those affected by inherited sight loss and the professionals who support them. Helpline: 0300 111 4000 – Our helpline is operated by volunteers all directly affected with a genetic eye disorder, who genuinely understand the issues faced with daily living.
Wharf House,
Stratford Road,
Buckingham,
MK18 1TD
Tel: +44 (0)1280 821334
Helpline: +44 (0)300 111 4000 Local rate call
Email: services@retinauk.org.uk
Website: https://retinauk.org.uk/Info
Wakefield District Sight Aid (WDSA)
WDSA is a voluntary society which supports residents of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council who have vision loss. It offers advice, practical help and information/training on a range of equipment, and supplies some equipment on behalf of the local authority.
Parkside Centre
Leeds Road
Outwood
Wakefield
WF1 2PN
Tel: 01924 215555
Email: wdsa@btconnect.com
Website: www.wdsa.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 9:30-13:30
Wakefield Visually Impaired Group
Social gathering, but with a wider agenda to promote the best interests of visually impaired people in the Wakefield District. Membership Free
C/o Mr A Rayner
8 Speak Close
Pinders Heath
Wakefield
WF1 4TS
Tel: 01924 365357
Wakefield City and District Society for Deaf People
Provides social and sport activities/clubs, direct input into a range of strategic initiatives and partnerships; providing an equipment service to reduce risk, maximising independence and well-being.
7 South Parade
Wakefield
WF1 1LR
Tel: 01924 375958
Minicom: 01924 371106
SMS: 07760482372
Website: www.wakefielddeaf.org.uk
Sense (for deafblind people)
Sense, 101 Pentonville Road
London N1 9LG
Website: www.sense.org.uk
Tel: 0300 330 9250
Textphone: 0300 330 9252
Email: info@sense.org.uk
Further information on eye conditions can be found here:
Last reviewed: 02/04/2015