ALL blind and partially-sighted people should be extremely concerned at the Government’s proposals on the assessment criteria and thresholds for receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the allowance which will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) next year. Full information is available about this online or via the RNIB telephone on 020 7388 1266. Current proposals fail to recognise properly the real impact of sight loss. Unless they are changed, thousands of working age, visually-impaired DLA recipients will be excluded from PIP. Others will lose their mobility allowance. It is vital that those concerned with these matters should contact their MP and set out their worries.

Alternatively, they can ask their MP to write to the Secretary of State for work and Pensions, the Rt Hon Iain Duncan-Smith, and voice their concerns. They can also write to PIP Assessment Development Team, Dept for Work and Pensions, 2nd Floor, Area B, Caxton House, Toyhill Street, London, SW1H 9NA. April 30 is the deadline for this — time is of the essence.

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