What is Blind Person's Allowance?

How much Blind Person's Allowance is worth

The allowance is not paid to you as cash. It raises the amount you can earn before you pay Income Tax. So the real value is the tax you save.

Worked examples for 2026/27

These use the rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Example 1: basic rate taxpayer. Sam earns £20,000 a year.

Sam pays £650 less tax a year. That is £3,250 x 20%.

Example 2: higher rate taxpayer. If the extra £3,250 would otherwise be taxed at 40%, the saving is £1,300 a year (£3,250 x 40%).

Scotland has different Income Tax bands and rates, so the saving for a Scottish taxpayer can be a little different.

Who can get it

England and Wales: you can get it if both of these apply:

• you are registered with your local council as blind or severely sight impaired
• you have a certificate that says you are blind or severely sight impaired, or a similar document from your doctor

Scotland and Northern Ireland: you can get it if you cannot do work that eyesight is essential for.

How to claim

1. Have your proof ready. In England and Wales this is your council registration or your certificate.
2. Phone HMRC on 0300 200 3301. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (not bank holidays).
3. Tell them you want to claim Blind Person's Allowance and how you qualify.

Couples and transferring the allowance

If you and your husband, wife or civil partner both qualify, you each get the allowance.

If you do not pay tax, or cannot use all of your allowance, you can transfer it to your spouse or civil partner. They do not need to be blind. To do this:

• you must be married or in a civil partnership, and
• you must live together, unless you live apart for reasons like illness, old age, work, a military posting, prison or study

To transfer it, use form 575 or phone HMRC on 0300 200 3301.

Things to know

• The allowance is the same amount across the UK. Only the rules for proving you qualify differ.
• It is extra to your Personal Allowance, so you keep your normal £12,570 as well.

Related guides

• What is the Personal Allowance for 2026/27?
• Can I claim Marriage Allowance?
• Can I get a TV licence discount if I'm blind?
• What are the Income Tax rates?

Where these figures come from

• Blind Person's Allowance: what you'll get (GOV.UK)
• Blind Person's Allowance: eligibility (GOV.UK)
• Blind Person's Allowance: how to claim (GOV.UK)
• Blind Person's Allowance: transfer your allowance (GOV.UK)
• Income Tax rates and allowances for current and past years (HMRC)