Note: DSP (permanently blind) recipients are paid DSP free of the income and assets test but are affected by the compensation provisions of the SSAct.
Rates of service pension and income support supplement paid to blind pensioners are not subject to the income or assets test unless the person claims rent assistance. A pension paid to the partner of a blind pensioner, who is not also permanently blind, is subject to the income and assets test.
The DSP is a means-tested income support payment for people aged 16 and over – but under Age Pension age (at claim) – who have reduced capacity to work because of their disability. This includes those who: are permanently blind.
To be eligible for DSP (Blind) you must be aged between 16 years of age and the Age Pension age, and be assessed as permanently blind. Permanent blindness is a visual acuity after correction by suitable lenses of less than 6/60 in both eyes on the Snellen Scale, or 10% or less field of vision.
The Snellen Scale measures visual acuity and a result of 6/6 represents normal vision. For a customer to be permanently blind under the section 95 of the Social Security Act the rating on the Snellen scale must be less than 6/60 in both eyes after correction by suitable lenses.
Visual acuity (clarity of vision): To qualify for blind disability benefits under this standard, your visual acuity after best correction must be no better than 20/200 in your better eye.
Legal blindness is defined as having a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better or stronger eye with best correction, or a restricted field of vision of 20 degrees or less in the better or stronger eye.
The assets test
If you own more than a set amount in assets your full pension will be reduced. The maximum assets for a full pension are (as of 1 July 2022): $280,500 for a single person who is a homeowner. $504,500 for a single person who is not a homeowner.
The cut off points for most pensioners are: $2,115.00 per fortnight if you are single and over 21 years old. $3,237.20 combined per fortnight for couples over 21 years old who are living together. $4,190.00 combined per fortnight for couples over 21 years old who are living apart due to ill health.
Some people who are blind can't see anything at all. Most people who are legally blind can see some things, but they struggle with their vision. You are legally blind if: you can only just read a sign that's 6 metres away, but that someone with normal vision can read from 60 metres away; or.
The answer is yes, in many cases they can work together, and you can get funding from both. Here we look at the differences between the NDIS and the disability support pension, and how you can apply for both.
Blind applicants can work and earn up to $1,820 per month and still qualify for disability benefits. Legally blind applicants who are totally blind (meaning they cannot perceive any light in either eye) may qualify for presumptive blindness and have their benefits awarded much quicker than normal.
Low Vision– This refers to a severe visual impairment in which visual acuity is 20/70 or poorer. This cannot improve with glasses or contacts. Legally Blind- This means a person has a corrected vision of 20/200 in their best-seeing eye. Totally Blind- This refers to a complete loss of sight.
The Work Bonus income bank is useful for pensioners who wish to work, particularly those who undertake intermittent or occasional work. Note: from 1 December 2022 to 31 December 2023, a one-off, temporary credit of $4,000 applies to Work Bonus income bank balances.
The first full payment at the new rates of pension will be payday 6 April 2023. The maximum rate of single service pension will rise by $37.50 to $1,064.00 per fortnight and the maximum rate for couples will increase by $28.20 to $802.00 per fortnight (each).
If you are of pension age then as the DSP is assessable income it does form part of your taxable income (assessable income less allowable deductions). The DSP and other assessable income are all included when determining your taxable income.
You can transfer the Blind Person's Allowance, or the unused part of it, to your spouse or civil partner if you don't pay tax or can't use all of it. This can be done whether or not they are blind. If both you and your spouse or civil partner qualify for Blind Person's Allowance you can claim an allowance each.
And to be deemed "legally blind," their vision must be bad enough that they meet one of two standards: They must have a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the eye they can see out of best (while wearing corrective glasses or contacts) or have a visual field of no more than 20 degrees.
Since being legally blind is determined by visual acuity and field of vision, this generally means that those with a prescription of -2.5 or lower in either or both eyes are considered legally blind.