Deeming Provisions
Combination of blindness and hearing loss (Deaf-blind)
Deaf - blindness is defined by Sense (the National Deaf - blind and Rubella Association) as -:
“A severe degree of combined visual and auditory impairment resulting in special needs in the areas of communication, access to information and mobility.”
100% blind
This is defined as being so blind as to be unable to perform any work for which eyesight is essential, the same criterion for being registered blind (see Registration of Visual Impairment at bottom of page). This equates to visual acuity of 3/60 or less or inability to count fingers beyond 50cms. Consideration of the visual fields as well as acuity is needed if these are very restricted.
80% Deaf
The level of hearing loss must be 87dB or greater when aids are used and it is usual to assess the degree of hearing loss by audiometry.
However, since audiograms are almost invariably performed without aids, it has been accepted that at this level of hearing loss, the use of a hearing aid is unlikely to provide significant improvement.
Medical Services advice should be sought in these cases.
Deaf - Blind Deeming Provision
Under the Deeming Provisions for DLA, a claimant can satisfy the conditions for the higher rate mobility component if:-
- they are both deaf and blind and
- as a result of the combined effects
they are unable to walk to their destination out of doors without the assistance of another person.
Legislation advises that the claimant must be 100% disabled due to blindness and 80% disabled due to deafness to be considered under the Deeming Provisions. DMG paragraph 61255 and paragraphs 61335 to 61337 refer.
Higher Rate Mobility component Severely Visually Impaired (SVI) Deeming Provision
Under the Deeming Provisions for DLA, a child can satisfy the conditions for the higher rate mobility component if:-
They have been certified as severely visually impaired by a consultant Ophthalmologist AND their visual acuity is -:
• Less than (<) 3/60 ;or
• 3/60 or more but less than (<) 6/60 with a complete loss of peripheral visual field and a central visual field of no more than 10 degrees in total?
If this is the case, the Severely Visually Impaired (SVI) deeming provision is satisfied.
