To claim Blind Person Allowance, you must contact HMRC by phone, online, or via your tax return. For the 2026/27 tax year, this allowance is set at £3,250. This gives eligible individuals an additional tax-free amount on top of their Personal Allowance.
This guide breaks down exactly how the Blind Person Allowance works for the 2026/27 tax year. Here, you’ll get to know:
- What exactly is blind allowance?
- Blind person’s allowance eligibility
- How to apply for blind person’s tax allowance?
- And much more…
Let’s get into it!
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What Is Blind Person Allowance?
The term “blind allowance” is simply a shorter name for the Blind Person Allowance. It is a tax relief provided by HMRC to support individuals who meet specific visual impairment conditions.
Unlike many tax reliefs, Blind Persons Allowance is available in addition to your standard Personal Allowance.
For many taxpayers, this can result in a lower tax bill each year.
Blind Person’s Tax Allowance 2026/27
For the 2026/27 tax year, the Blind Person Allowance is £3,250. This is an increase from the previous year’s rate of £3,130. This allowance is added directly to your standard UK Personal Allowance (which remains at £12,570 for 2026/27). This brings your total tax-free income threshold up to £15,820 for the year.
If your income is too low to use the full £3,250 allowance, you can transfer the unused amount to your spouse or civil partner. Yes!
And if both you and your spouse or civil partner qualify, each person can claim the full £3,250 allowance.
Blind Person’s Allowance Eligibility
To qualify for the Blind Person Allowance, you must be a UK resident. Also, you must be registered as severely sight impaired (blind) with your local authority in England or Wales, or meet the equivalent qualifying conditions in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Blind person’s allowance eligibility differs based on your location within the UK:
Rules for England and Wales
If you live in England or Wales, you must be officially registered as blind or severely sight impaired (SSI) with your local council’s social services. Before you can register, a hospital eye consultant must examine you and issue a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI).
Rules for Scotland and Northern Ireland
If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, registering with your local council is not a requirement for the tax break. Instead, you need a certificate or formal letter from an eye doctor. This document must confirm that your sight loss is severe enough to prevent you from doing any work where eyesight is essential.
For more details or to make a claim, visit the GOV.UK Blind Person Allowance Overview. You can also get free tax advice and benefit guidance from the RNIB Tax Advice Service.
How To Apply for Blind Person’s Tax Allowance?
To claim the Blind Person Allowance for the 2026/27 tax year, you must contact HMRC directly. This is because this allowance is not granted automatically.
Depending on how you manage your taxes, you can choose the option below that best fits your situation to get your tax code updated or claim a refund.
Option 1: Call HMRC (Fastest Method)
The quickest way to make a claim is by calling HMRC on 0300 200 3301 (or +44 135 535 9022 from outside the UK). You need to make sure you have your National Insurance number, your certificate date, and also your local council details ready before you dial.
Option 2: Apply online
If you prefer to do things digitally, log in to your official GOV.UK Personal Tax Account using your Government Gateway ID. Go to the tax reliefs section. Then report a change in your circumstances to submit your details.
Option 3: Use your Self Assessment tax return
If you file an annual tax return, you do not need to call or go online separately. Simply tick the box for the Blind Person Allowance under the “Tax Reliefs” section on your return, and HMRC will adjust your final bill automatically.
Note: You can also use any of these options to backdate your claim for up to the last four tax years to get a refund.
Check Out: What Is the Property Income Allowance? (2026/27 UK Guide)
Can I Transfer the Unused Allowance to My Partner or Spouse?
Yes, you can transfer 100% of any unused Blind Person Allowance to your spouse or civil partner. And you can transfer it even if your partner is fully sighted. Your partner can then use it to reduce their own tax bill.
To transfer your Blind Person Allowance, you must meet the following criteria:
- You are legally married or in a civil partnership.
- You live together.
- You reside in the UK for tax purposes.
- Your income is too low to use the full Blind Person Allowance.
To transfer unused Blind Person Allowance, you can request the transfer by filling out Form 575 (T). You can do this online through the GOV.UK Income Tax Transfer Form or by printing and mailing it.
Alternatively, you can make the transfer request by calling HMRC at 0300 200 3301.
Note: You can still transfer the allowance if you are living apart due to old age (e.g., residential care), work, training, or military service.
Blind Person’s Allowance Backdated: Claiming for Past Years
If you have only recently found out about this tax relief but have been registered blind for years, do not worry. You can backdate your claim. HMRC usually allows you to backdate a claim for the Blind Person Allowance by up to 4 tax years from the end of the current tax year. Therefore, if you qualify, you may be entitled to a tax refund for those previous years.
Because the allowance amount changes each year slightly, your backdated payout will use the historical rates.
- 2025/26: £3,130
- 2024/25: £3,070
- 2023/24: £2,870
- 2022/23: £2,670
If you were eligible during all those years and didn’t claim, HMRC will calculate what they owe you. Then they will send you a lump-sum tax refund.
Sorting out backdated claims can sometimes involve messy tax code history, especially if your income fluctuated. If you want to make sure you are getting every penny back from those older years, the team at Cheap Accountants in London can review your past payslips and handle the backdate paperwork for you.
How To Claim Blind Persons Tax Allowance Online Free?
Many people want to know how to claim blind persons tax allowance online free without dealing with long hold times on the phone.
The easiest free way to do this online is through your Personal Tax Account on the Government Gateway. Once you log in, you can update your medical and personal details. If you are self-employed, you do not need a special separate portal. You just claim it directly on your annual Self Assessment tax return. There are zero fees to do this through official government channels.
Wrapping Up: Blind Person Allowance
The Blind Person Allowance remains an incredibly important piece of tax relief. It helps eligible individuals reduce their Income Tax bill each year. However, thousands of people still miss out on this extra cash, mostly because they do not know the rules exist.
For 2026/27, it adds £3,250 to your tax-free income. That is definitely a noticeable boost to your take-home pay.
If you want a hand setting up your claim or sorting out a multi-year backdated refund, get in touch with us at Cheap Accountants in London.
From bookkeeping to VAT returns, we manage it all so you can focus on growing your business.
How Cheap Accountants in London Can Help
At Cheap Accountants in London, we look after everyday individuals who just want their finances sorted without the premium price tags.
We can handle all your compliance work, including your annual tax returns and refunds.
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