low costs for low vision rehabilitation are the range for 50% of NHS trusts for occupational therapy services. 27 The average housing benefit for disabled people aged under 60 is less than the average housing benefit for all aged under 60. 22 Unfortunately, the data for the over 60s are not subdivided in this way. However the average weekly rate varies around the United Kingdom from 35.80 in Scotland to 58.80 in Greater London. 22 This geographical variation is also seen in council tax benefit. 22 There is no information on the number of people who go blind in later life who receive this benefit. The estimate given will include people who were registered blind before and during their working life which may have caused a reduced earning capacity. The percentages also vary depending on whether the household is owned or rented. The higher cost estimate of attendance allowance (social security) is at the higher rate. 23 The lower uptake from the first RNIB survey 17 and higher uptake rate in the second RNIB survey 18 suggests that the drive to increase uptake of attendance allowance has been successful to some extent. The lower cost estimate of tax allowance assumes payment of tax at the starting rate of 10%. In the first RNIB survey, 17 overall only 5% claimed that they received this allowance, but 18% not in work stated that they claimed it. It is unclear from the report whether this group was of working age or of all