Lost sight in one eye?? Any benefit??

mrs_lds

I'm writing on behalf of my aunt for advice . She is 74 been widowed for 34 years and been working as a seamstress self employed however she has totally lost sight in one eye and finding work in the current circunstance very difficult. The only benefot she gets is a small widows one. Would she be able to claim any benefits?? She has alaways had to work since being widowed and has savings? Any advice i could pass on please.

Londonsu

mrs_lds wrote: »

I'm writing on behalf of my aunt for advice . She is 74 been widowed for 34 years and been working as a seamstress self employed however she has totally lost sight in one eye and finding work in the current circunstance very difficult. The only benefot she gets is a small widows one. Would she be able to claim any benefits?? She has alaways had to work since being widowed and has savings? Any advice i could pass on please.

She wont get disability benefits like DLA as they have to be in place before the claimant is of pension age.


She may be able to claim attendance allowance
https://www.independentage.org/information/money/benefits/attendance-allowance?gclid=CjwKEAiAmJvBBRDKpP724LigwngSJAAYRJXBuhuhdwiFDOyV7MRXMv1ruSSSdDt-W-grzvcbEG8yPhoCgZ3w_wcB


She may be able to claim Pension Credit which is a passport benefit for other benefits like HB or council tax relief
https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/overview


Age UK are a very good source of information on benefit entitlement and have a benefit calculator
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/?gclid=CjwKEAiAu6DBBRDDr6-e_6698E0SJACvuxnyIfJohy9chfRTDBmSEhA37svxuXa6OXnaXFLglAc7VhoCQLTw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds


I do know the problems my own dad worked until he was 84 when a dodgy hip and a dicky ticker forced him to give up work, he struggled for months until the family found out and helped him get state assistance

GlasweJen

If her vision is fine in the other eye she wouldn't be classed as visually impaired (new name for partially sighted) or severely sight impaired (blind).

She will adjust to losing her vision on one side but it can take a while. She won't get 3D vision back.

She should attend the opticians regularly to make sure nothing is happening in the good eye that puts her sight at risk.

SailorSam

You say your Aunt has savings, how much ?
Many benefits, such as PC aren't going to be available to her if she has to much in the bank.

http://www.rnib.org.uk/information-everyday-living-benefits-and-concessions-benefits-older-people/attendance-allowance

missbiggles1

Has she been deferring her state pension?

teddysmum

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Has she been deferring her state pension?

I was wondering about State Pension, too, as someone of SP age would not get benefit due to being unable to work.

McKneff

My husband lost sight in one eye and worked for twenty and more years as a decorator and
drove a decorators van.

Cant see it being that much of a problem with a bit of sewing to someone who is experienced at it.

teddysmum

A man who lives near us lost an eye. He was no longer allowed to drive an HGV vehicle, but is able to drive a car or smaller van.

catz1ct

She could get extra help with housing benefit if she has been confirmed as being sight impaired.

mrs_lds

catz1ct wrote: »

She could get extra help with housing benefit if she has been confirmed as being sight impaired.

Currently on no benefits except widows pension

missbiggles1

mrs_lds wrote: »

Currently on no benefits except widows pension

As I asked earlier, does that mean she's deferring her state retirement pension?