A
national sight loss charity will make benefits and financial support one of its
top talking points heading further into 2024.
The
cost of living crisis continues to bite in the new year, as people with sight
loss face increased expenses to help them in their everyday lives.
The
Macular Society, which supports people living with macular disease, the biggest
cause of sight loss in the UK, will be shining a light on the support available
as part of its My Macular and Me podcast. The Society will launch its mini
series Bitesize Benefits in 2024 to focus on the benefits available to people
living with sight loss, how they help and the process involved to make a claim.
The
first three episodes will focus on Personal Independence Payment (PIP). New
episodes will be rolled out over the first few months of the year, with the
first being released on Thursday 18 January.
Nearly
1.5 million people are currently affected by macular disease and many more are
at risk. The disease can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, leaving
them unable to drive, read or see faces. Many people affected describe losing
their sight as being similar to bereavement. There is still no cure and most
types of the disease are not treatable. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
is the most common form of macular disease, affecting more than 600,000 people,
usually over the age of 50.
The
Bitesize Benefits episodes will be co-hosted by Macular Society interim
director of services, Emma Malcolm, as well as Working Age and Young People’s
Service manager, Colin Daniels.
Colin
said: “Understanding which benefits and financial support are available to
people with sight loss can be a minefield, so we will be tackling that and
breaking down what people may be entitled to.
“We’ll
look into the perceived barriers in terms of the application process, exploring
how to apply for the different benefits available, the application, as well as
assessment and how a decision is made.
“There
are many additional costs involved for people living with sight loss, such as
extra taxi or other transport fares and increased lighting bills at home, but
there are benefits to help and we can show you how.”
The
Macular Society’s My Macular and Me podcast episodes can be listened to here. The podcast can also
be found on all popular podcasting platforms including: Spotify, Amazon Music,
Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
For
more information about the Macular Society, or for help and support with your
condition, please call 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org
