Change to guidance for Blind Person’s Allowance process
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HMRC have shared an update about a change to the guidance for customers claiming the Blind Person’s Allowance.
The update is as follows.
"The change in Blind Person’s Allowance (BPA) guidance means that if a customer calls HMRC to claim BPA for an earlier year (or a combination of the current year and an earlier one) the call has to be passed to a different team to review and action. HMRC also usually require written evidence to action the claim.
We have discussed this with the relevant team, in light of the potential delays. It has been agreed that HMRC will revert to the previous process for RNIB advisors calling the dedicated HMRC Extra Support Team (EST) number, so calls will not need to be passed to a different team and we will not request evidence.
For security, HMRC have asked RNIB advisors to provide a password when calling with these claims."
RNIB have set up a password for RNIB tax advisors to use when calling HMRC with customers. RNIB advisors will check the customer is eligible and has the evidence to claim Blind Person’s Allowance before we call HMRC i.e. a certificate or document stating they are certified severely sight impaired or blind and a letter or a card from the council (or the local society in some areas) to confirm they are registered severely sight impaired or blind with their local authority or council in England and Wales.
RNIB Tax Advice Service overview:
- help you to claim and transfer allowances to reduce your tax bill, including Blind Person’s Allowance – Gov.UK, Marriage Allowance – Gov.UK and Married Couple’s Allowance – Gov.UK.
- check you are paying the correct amount of tax.
- explain your tax code.
- arrange help from HMRC to complete tax returns.
- challenge HMRC decisions.
- resolve tax problems.
- advise on products and building work that are VAT exempt for disabled people. Further information: VAT relief factsheet (opens Word).
RNIB tax advisers carry out three-way phone calls with customers and HMRC’s extra support team. There are no application forms – most claims can be taken over the phone. If the person has difficulties using the phone (due to hearing loss, dementia, living in a care home, communication difficulties), we can speak to HMRC on their behalf with their consent. We will also check customers receive correspondence from HMRC in their preferred reading format.
Please feel free to share details of our tax service with your colleagues and service users through your magazines and newsletters. You can refer people to us with their consent or they can contact us directly. Call RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 and ask to speak to the tax team or email the RNIB tax team. Our tax service is open Monday to Friday, 9AM to 5PM.
Further information is available online at Tax advice – RNIB. Also see the RNIB tax factsheet (opens Word) with our contact details.
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