Royal Blind Society Grants

There are almost two million people in the UK who have problems with their sight. For 140 years, the Royal Blind Society has helped those on low incomes with grant awards.

The purpose of such awards is to give practical support to the blind and partially sighted. This support leads to independence and a more fulfilled life.

Amount

The total amount the Royal Blind Society gives in grants each year to visually impaired people is about £100,000. This money, and the running costs of the society, come from public donations. The society receives no help from the government.

Who Qualifies?

Grant applicants must have blind or partially sighted registration. He or she must also be a permanent UK resident.

Applicants must make a grant claim through a third party. This third party should be someone who knows the applicant well and holds an appropriate professional office. This office can be that of a welfare worker, a social worker, a day care centre manager, a rehabilitation officer, a Citizens’ Advice Bureau officer, a worker with a local group that supports the blind, or similar.

The other qualification criteria are disposable income and savings.

Weekly household disposable income must not be greater than £104 for one person or £182 for a couple. If there is anyone else in the home, the disposable income maximum increases by a weekly amount of £47 per person.

To calculate disposable income, applicants must add their total income. They should exclude Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. From this total, applicants must then deduct council tax, mortgage payments or rent. They should make no other deductions.

If an applicant has savings that total more than £4,000, the Royal Blind Society is unlikely to give a grant.

The Grants

The society awards grants to help towards the cost of basic household bills. These include electricity and the phone. The amount of such a grant is up to £208 per year.

The society also awards one-off grants. These are up to £200. The society may award one such grant per household per year.

The society has certain priorities for one-off grants. Among these are health and safety for day-to-day living, and UK holidays. For the holidays, the society prefers applicants to book one of its own hotels.

Grants can also help with the cost of computers and software. The software should aid reading and writing, and improve the chances of work and learning.

Applications

The society reviews applications for annual and one-off grants every three months.

Applicants must enclose a quote for the goods or service they wish to buy.

If an applicant’s disposable income is greater than the amounts stated by the society, the applicant should enclose details of any exceptional circumstances that may be relevant.

A charity may sponsor a grant application to the society. But the society expects the sponsor to have already given a contribution to the applicant, or have pledged to make such a payment. The Royal Blind Society’s grant will not be greater than this amount.