The Benefit Advice Project ensures that visually impaired people access all the welfare benefit and money advice they need at the earliest possible opportunity; to alleviate stress around debt and benefit issues that have greatly increased as a result of the rising cost of living. Over 76% of LLBS clients are aged over 65. Over 83% have additional health problems such as loss of hearing and reduced physical and mental capabilities; and visual impairment propels the effect of other conditions. Of these clients many are struggling to cope with increased costs of household supplies; fuel; travel; telephone and internet and council tax; and the increased costs of disability related expenses such as specialist equipment and taxis. The ultimate aim of the project is to make sure that people with a visual impairment have all the welfare benefit and financial management advice and help to which they are entitled to gain the freedom to pay for sport, travel and other costs.

What we'll deliver:

• Provide face to face welfare benefit and financial management advice
• Provide access to the LLBS holistic service including our befriending service, IT service and talking newspapers
• Follow up visits to review and revise client’s welfare benefits

Why it's a great idea:

• Improved finances due to the maximation of their benefits. • Improved access to services and opportunities • Improved physical and mental health and social involvement as the participants can participate in their community which their disability prevents. • Improved quality of life and community wellbeing - Their increased wealth will be spent locally supporting local businesses which fosters a sense of community. People become interested in the success of their neighbourhood. They know the shopkeeper, interact with neighbours and participate in local events. This social cohesion strengthens community bonds. • There is a wealth of evidence that delivering welfare rights and financial advice is cost effective. A study by the Office of Public Management (OPM) on the impact of a Macmillan’s welfare rights service concluded that for every £1 spent on delivering the service there was a £20.80 return in benefit benefit claims, compensation, and financial rewards.

Steps to get it done:

• Contact our clients in our postcode areas to invite them to have a Benefits Check with a Sight Impairment Officer (SIO)
• The SIO visits the client to carry out an assessment and completes paperwork for them.
• If the Application is refused the SIO will appeal/ re-apply
• Once the client is successful the SIO will help them with any equipment, services etc that they require
• After 12 months the SIO will re-assess the client to check if their circumstances have changed and reapply if necessary