Cost of Living Crisis Hitting Blind and Partially Sighted People Hard

New research from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has revealed the significant financial pressures facing blind and partially sighted people across the UK.

With rising living costs impacting not only household finances but also independence, wellbeing and social connection, the key findings revealed:    

· Only 13% of those receiving disability benefits said their disability benefits completely covered the additional costs of sight loss.   

· More than half of blind and partially sighted people (53% ) said rising energy costs had affected their wellbeing.    

· 44% said their financial situation had worsened in the previous three months, and the same proportion expected it to worsen over the next six months.   

The research highlighted how blind and partially sighted people continue to face additional and often unavoidable costs linked to sight loss, including transport, assistive technology, specialist equipment, practical support and higher energy use.

These extra costs can amount to hundreds of pounds each month, making it harder to deal with wider increases in the cost of living.    

Rising transport costs can restrict access to work, healthcare, social activities and relationships, particularly where taxis or other accessible transport options are essential rather than optional.

Taxis and other transport needs were the most commonly reported additional cost associated with sight loss, cited by 62% of participants.  

Working age blind and partially sighted people are particularly affected.  

Compared to those aged 65 and over, those of working age are more than twice as likely to report finding it quite or very difficult to manage financially (29% compared with 12%).   

"Blind and partially sighted people are facing mounting financial pressure from rising living costs alongside the extra, unavoidable costs that come with sight loss such as transport, assistive technology, specialist equipment and practical support,” said Mike Wordingham, RNIB Head of Policy.   

“Our research shows that these pressures are forcing many people to make impossible choices between heating their homes, travelling independently, accessing support and meeting other essential needs.   

"The impact goes far beyond finances. People are telling us that rising costs are leaving them more anxious, isolated and less able to live independently. Disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), play a crucial role in helping people manage the additional costs of sight loss, but for many they simply are not going far enough.   

"With inflation on the rise, energy prices set to increase again, and the Chancellor's Autumn Budget approaching, the UK Government must act to better support blind and partially sighted people. That includes ensuring disability benefits reflect the extra costs that come with sight loss."    

RNIB is calling on the UK Government to:   

· As the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) begins testing its emerging recommendations in workshops, it’s vital that any changes to PIP ensure disability benefits better reflect the real and unavoidable extra costs associated with sight loss.     

· As the Milburn Review prepares its recommendations to tackle youth unemployment, the government must address barriers that prevent young blind and partially sighted people from entering, staying in and progressing in work.    

 To find out more visit https://www.rnib.org.uk/