Pension Credit and being Blind Question

[MUD]

On the Direct Gov wbsite on thPension Credit part it states
,,,,,,,,,,
Applying for Pension Credit
The Pension Credit calculator gives you an estimate of how much Pension Credit you may get. It is not an application for Pension Credit. If you decide to apply for Pension Credit, see 'Pension Credit - introduction'.

If you or your partner is registered blind you should call 0800 991 234 to find out if you might be entitled to Pension Credit.
...............

my question, if anyone can answere is

what difference does it make to a Pension Credit claim if the applicant is Blind ?

[trickiedickie]

Hiya.

Not a question i can really answer but i told them Mid 2010 when i applied i was partially sighted in one eye but it made no difference. Cant give any detail other then my own experience.

TD

[MUD]

Hi TD

I am just curious as to why they ask if you are registered blind on the Pension Credit online calculator also the application / claim form if being blind makes no difference to a claim

why ask

and why this,,,
..
If you or your partner is registered blind you should call 0800 991 234 to find out if you might be entitled to Pension Credit.
...

[Carneucopia]

It's just giving a telephone option to get the calculation done for people who can't see to use the calculator online.

[MUD]

ok. yes the tel number I can understand

but why is there a question on the claim form asking if you or your partner are registeref blind ?

[MUD]

The reason if your blind you use the phone number, you only have to fill in a three page form, it can be done over the phone with no need to sign the applicatiopn, while the rest of us have a massive booklet with lots of pages of conditions and we must sign the form.

It's been done for eay of use.

I still do not understand why they ask on the application form, are you or your partner registered blind

[MUD]

so makes no difference to a Pension Credit claim, OK,

Thank you treborc

[MUD]

I am blind


my meaning was, no extra Pension Credit money / payment

[MUD]

Like I've said before, maybe the end of High and low rate Mobility element of DLA / Pip's

seems everyone can use the bus, not just Blind people, but also people on crutches, in wheelchairs,


Pension Credit ask on their application form if you are registered blind because if your partner is blind or disabled you can claim the Disability Premium.

Pension Credit reply when I asked them this evening

[Carneucopia]

Mud - unfortunately it is very likely that with the introduction of PIP people who are registered blind could lose their entitlement to DLA High Rate Mobility. But if that happens I would expect them to revert to qualifying for Low Rate Mobility as before. PIP is going to still have 2 rates of mobility component. But it is also planned to reduce to 2 rates of the Care Component as well.