Blind clients subsidy

An additional allowance of 25% of their average personal earnings can be paid to a totally blind person who is getting Supported Living Payment on ground of health condition, injury, disability or total blindness. There is a maximum subsidy amount paid on a blind client's earnings.

The subsidy is only assessed on the blind client's personal earnings from actual work they do.

When there has been a clear change in the rate of earnings, review the benefit and subsidy. If there are any small changes, the client's subsidy will be reviewed during their Mandatory Review.

If there has been a clear change in the rate of earnings review the benefit and subsidy from the first available date. Individual cases can only be considered when a retrospective review is requested.

Use the same process if a totally blind person starts working after they have been granted a benefit.

Earnings must be checked every 3 months until the amount earned can be assessed on a real earnings basis.

Ensure the client understands that when a subsidy is granted on likely earnings, the benefit must be assessed by charging probable income from all other sources.