THE Department of Social Care will spend almost £100,000 per year increasing the disability allowance for people with severe visual impairment.
Tynwald has approved the move to increase the mobility part of the Disability Living Allowance by £30.90 per week.
The Disability Living Allowance is made up of two components, a care component and a mobility component. The mobility component is for people who, as a result of a physical disablement, are unable to walk or who need guidance or supervision when walking outdoors on unfamiliar routes.
From April those people, aged 65 and under, who are already receiving the lower rate mobility component, £18.95, will be eligible for the higher rate of £49.85 per week if they meet the new severely visually impaired criteria.
A person is regarded as having severe visual impairment if, even with corrective lenses, they can only read the top line of an eye test chart from three metres away. People who can see the top line of an eye test chart from six metres away but have a complete loss of peripheral vision and suffer from tunnel vision are also regarded as having severe visual impairment.
Social Care Minister Martyn Quayle MHK explained: "This change is good news for the estimated 60 to 70 severely visually impaired people who will benefit from this measure - helping them to afford the support they need to live their lives.
"The total cost to my department is expected to be around £100,000 a year. I would encourage all those who think they may be entitled to this benefit to get in touch with my department as soon as possible so that if they are entitled then payments can start from April 11."
Adjudication officers from the Department of Social Care will be able to refer a person who makes a claim for the allowance to an optometrist or orthoptist.
For people over the age of 65 who have a severe visual impairment extra help will be available from April but on a means-tested basis.
Anyone who thinks they may be regarded as having a severe visual impairment is advised to contact the department’s Disability Benefits Unit as soon as possible by calling 01624 685104 or by e-mail disabilitybenefits.dsc@gov.im.
