A Guide to UK Discounts and Concessions for People Living With Sight Loss

Living with a visual impairment in the UK comes with substantial extra costs, research from Scope has found disabled households face on average an £1095 a month in additional expenses.

These extra costs include essential items and services like specialist equipment, higher energy bills, accessible transport, insurance, and heating.

All these things can often make it more difficult to get out and about in your community, but help is at hand, many organisations offer discounts or concessionary tickets or services to help offset these costs or cover additional support you may need to access them.

Here we’ve rounded up some of the discounts you can access if you are living with sight loss if you are registered as severely sight impaired or sight impaired via a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI).

TV Licence Concession

If you’re registered as severely sight impaired, you can get a 50% discount on your TV licence. This applies only to the licence holder, it cannot be transferred for a child unless the licence is in their name and they themselves are registered. The concession does not apply to those registered as sight impaired (partially sighted).

Blind Person’s Allowance

This allowance provides a significant tax-free increase to your Personal Allowance, enabling you to earn more before starting to pay income tax. As of the 2025–26 tax year, the Blind Person’s Allowance is £3,130; for 2024–25, it was £3,070.

If you don’t use all your allowance, you can transfer the unused part to your spouse or civil partner, regardless of whether they are registered blind. This transfer is straightforward and may be a valuable benefit for couples.

Local Travel (West Midlands)

The West Midlands Disabled Person’s Travel Pass (Swift disabled pass) is available free to individuals with an eligible long-term disability (12+ months), including being registered as blind or partially sighted, along with several other conditions. The pass covers free travel on buses, Metro trams, and local trains and may also offer early or off-peak travel benefits (check tfwm.org.uk for details).

Blue Badge (Parking):

If you are registered as severely sight impaired, you are eligible to apply for a Blue Badge, allowing permitted parking closer to destinations. A driver can use this badge while assisting the visually impaired person. You can find more information about how to apply for a blue badge on your local council’s website.

National Travel

Disabled Person’s Railcard:

Offers one-third off most rail fares for you and a companion across Great Britain. To qualify with a visual impairment, you must be registered as blind or partially sighted.

Even without a railcard some train operators may offer additional reductions for passengers registered as blind or visually impaired and a companion, it is always worth asking at the time of booking.

CEA Card (Cinema Companion Ticket)

Allows a free companion ticket for a disabled cinema guest at participating venues across the UK. It’s a widely recognised and easy-to-access concession. Visit https://www.ceacard.co.uk/ to sign up.

Merlin Entertainments Ride Access Pass (RAP)

This pass offers easier access to rides for visitors at Merlin theme parks  who struggle with queuing. Here’s how it works:

1. You need a Nimbus Disability Access Card, which you apply for separately (via Nimbus Disability/Access Card providers). Once approved, this becomes your proof of eligibility.
2. You must apply at least 7 days before your visit to allow for assessment, though some parks recommend applying 3 months in advance for peak seasons (Merlin Annual Pass,).
3. After approval, you’ll collect an ID card (valid for three years) at the park. You can then pre‑book ride access slots using this card—booking closes once capacity is reached, even days in advance (Merlin Annual Pass).
4. On the day, present your ID and pre‑booked slot to enter via the ride access queue.
5. One complimentary carer pass may also be provided if required (Merlin Annual Pass).

Theatres, Museums, Attractions

Many venues offer free or discounted entry for a carer or companion of a registered disabled visitor. Always check the venue’s website or contact them directly for details and access information.