RNIB delighted at extra benefit

People with severe visual impairment will be able to claim an extra £30.90 a week in benefit from April 2011 to get out and about safely and independently thanks to changes in benefit rules.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said it was delighted that, despite reductions in welfare budgets, the government had recognised the importance of the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for those with severe visual impairment.

It had campaigned for over two years to change the rules and in March 2009 the former government agreed to the change, with cross-party support. The coalition government then fulfilled the promise last week, with approval expected before the summer recess.