DWP state pensioners with common conditions could get extra £101 a week
People of state pension age with eyesight conditions could get an extra £101 a week from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). Attendance Allowance is available to people with physical or mental health conditions.
It pays either £68.10 or £101.75 per week. People with cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, or diabetic retinopathy could be eligible for the benefit.
As of February 2023, there were 45,612 recipients of this benefit who had an eye condition. People claiming Attendance Allowance might also be eligible for extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or a reduction in council tax.
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There are a number of sight loss conditions which could qualify you for support, Express reports. But even if a person's condition is not listed, it does not mean support is not available.
Attendance Allowance assists with additional costs if a person has a severe physical or mental disability or illness which makes self-care difficult - it does not cover mobility needs. A claimant does not need to have someone caring for them in order to claim it.
If you have a disability or illness and require assistance or supervision throughout the day or during the night - even if you are not currently receiving that help - you could get Attendance Allowance. You could also qualify if you struggle with personal tasks.
These are common sight issues supported through disability benefits:
Full list of sight loss conditions
Diseases of conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids and lacrimal apparatus
Conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids and lacrimal apparatus - Other diseases of / type not known
Corneal ulceration
Entropion
Herpes zoster - ophthalmic
Keratitis
Keratoconus
Orbital cellulitis
Ptosis
Scleritis
Uveitis
Anterior Uveitis (iritis)
Chorioretinal disorders - Other / type not known
Posterior (choroiditis)
Glaucoma
Visual injuries to the eye
Vitreous disease
Posterior vitreous detachment
Vitreous disease - Other / type not known
Vitreous haemorrhage
Diseases of the retina and optic nerve
Diabetic retinopathy
Hypertensive retinopathy
Macular degeneration
Optic atrophy
Optic neuritis
Retina and optic nerve - Other diseases of / type not known
Retinal artery occlusion
Retinal detachment
Retinal vein occlusion
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinopathy - Other / type not known
Cataract
Refractive errors
Astigmatism
Hypermetropia (long-sighted)
Myopia (short-sighted)
Presbyopia
Refractive errors - Other / type not known
Disorders of eye movement
Eye movement - Other disorders of / type not known
Nystagmus
Strabismus (Squint)
Visual field defects
Amblyopia
Cortical blindness
Diplopia (double vision)
Hemianopia
Quadrantanopia
Scotoma
Tunnel vision
Visual field defects - Other / type not known