It is estimated that around two million individuals across Great Britain are grappling with vision problems or progressive eye diseases. Nearly 59,000 adults under the age of 65, who are still of working age, are receiving additional financial aid through Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Meanwhile, over 50,000 individuals above the State Pension age are regularly receiving payments via Attendance Allowance. The majority, three out of four people suffering from visual impairment, are aged over 65, and approximately 8,000 working-age individuals are registered as blind or partially sighted.
For those who lose their sight in adulthood, the experience can be deeply distressing, as they may no longer be able to engage in beloved activities such as driving, participating in sports, reading, and cooking. Mobility can also be impacted, potentially leading to issues with independence and travel.
However, Attendance Allowance, the dedicated disability benefit for those over the State Pension age, does not cover mobility needs. Administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit currently providing extra financial support to over 1.6 million people across Great Britain.
The benefit aims to assist State Pension age individuals with daily living expenses, potentially enabling them to maintain independence in their own homes for a longer period, reports the Daily Record.
Attendance Allowance and vision loss conditions
The most recent figures from the DWP reveal that in February 2024, a total of 49,677 individuals were receiving either £68.10 or £101.75 each week for a ‘Visual Disorder or Disease’. This figure encompasses claimants suffering from common eye conditions affecting older people.
There are over 45 such conditions impacting adults nationwide, including:
- Retina and optic nerve – other diseases of / type not known
- Glaucoma
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Cataract
- Macular Degeneration – Wet and Dry (also referred to as age-related MD)
- Diabetic Retinopathy (a condition that can cause vision loss in people with diabetes)
- Myopia (short-sightedness)
If you, or someone you know, is under State Pension age and has a sight condition, it may be worth considering making a new claim for PIP. Similarly, if you, or someone you know, is over State Pension age and living with a sight condition, even severe myopia (short-sightedness), it could be beneficial to make a claim for Attendance Allowance.
Sight loss conditions include common health issues affecting eyesight that are supported through disability benefits. However, if your condition is not listed, this does not mean it isn’t supported.
Conditions include diseases of the conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids and lacrimal apparatus, uveitis, glaucoma, visual injuries to the eye, vitreous disease, diseases of the retina and optic nerve, cataract, refractive errors, disorders of eye movement, and visual field defects.
Who is eligible to claim?
If you have a disability or illness that necessitates help or supervision throughout the day or during the night, even if you’re not currently receiving such assistance, you should consider applying for Attendance Allowance. This could include needing help with personal care tasks such as dressing, eating, getting in and out of bed, bathing, using the toilet, or ensuring your safety.
You may also be eligible if you struggle with personal tasks due to them being time-consuming, causing pain, or requiring physical support like leaning on a chair. The Attendance Allowance isn’t exclusively for those with a physical disability or illness.
If you require help or supervision throughout the day or night due to a mental health condition, learning difficulties, or a sensory condition (such as deafness or blindness), you should also consider making a claim.
How much can I receive from Attendance Allowance?
You could potentially receive either £72.65 at the lower rate or £108.55 at the higher rate. Payments are typically made every four weeks, in arrears. The funds can be used as you see fit and could contribute to maintaining your independence at home for a longer period.
This could involve covering taxi fares or contributing towards bills.
How to make a new DWP claim
Full details about claiming Attendance Allowance can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
To apply for Attendance Allowance, you’ll need to fill out a comprehensive claim form. While it may seem intimidating initially, assistance is readily available from your local Citizens Advice, so don’t let the form deter you from applying.
If you’d rather handle it yourself, you can follow the Citizens Advice guide on how to complete your claim form. Full details about claiming Attendance Allowance can be found on the GOV.UK website here.