§ Ms. WiseTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what advantages a person obtains by being included on(a) the blind register and (b) the partially sighted register.
§ Mr. ScottA claimant to severe disablement allowance who is registered as blind or partially sighted is automatically accepted as satisfying the 80 per cent. disablement condition. Blindness is a qualification for disablement premium under income support and a person who is blind with additional disabilities may qualify for attendance allowance. People who are registered as blind240W may also apply for a special income tax allowance, a television licence at reduced cost, free postage on items sent as articles for the blind and certain travel concessions. On the other hand, those who are blind or partially sighted do not need to be registered as such with local authorities before they can be helped by social services departments.