Children and adults who are registered blind/severely sight impaired (or whose registration ended in the previous twenty eight weeks) normally qualify for Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payments (adults).

If your child is registered blind/severely sight impaired (or has been taken off the register in the previous twenty eight weeks) we recommend that you apply for Disability Living Allowance. As well as providing extra income directly, receiving Disability Living Allowance also means that you qualify for a ‘child disability premium’ when you claim means-tested benefits. This could increase the amount you can claim in other benefits.

If you are registered blind (or have been taken off the register in the previous twenty eight weeks) we recommend that you apply for Personal Independence Payment. As well as providing extra income directly, receiving Personal Independence Payments also means that you qualify for a ‘disability premium’ when you claim means-tested benefits. This could increase the amount you can claim in other benefits.

For more information on this entitlement see Disability Living Allowance for children. For other benefits you may be able to get see registered blind.

If you choose not to claim Disability Living Allowance despite the fact that your child is registered blind you will in fact still receive a disability premium when you claim means-tested benefits.

In order to provide a correct calculation you will need to indicate that your child is claiming Disability Living Allowance. If you are in this situation please select that your child is disabled, is claiming Disability Living Allowance and is getting lower rate care component.

Income from Disability Living Allowance is ignored in means-tested benefits and tax credits so this will not affect your calculation, other than allowing us to include a disability premium.