DWP state pensioners with common conditions can claim up to £101 extra per week

State pensioners with common eyesight conditions are being urged to check if they're eligible for an extra £101 a week through Attendance Allowance. The benefit, worth either £68.10 or £101.75 per week, is available to those living with physical or mental health conditions.

Those who might qualify include individuals suffering from cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, or diabetic retinopathy. As of February 2023, there were 45,612 recipients of this benefit who have an eye condition. Those receiving this benefit may also be eligible for additional Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or a council tax reduction.

The list of sight loss conditions supported through disability benefits encompasses diseases of conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids and lacrimal apparatus, uveitis, glaucoma, visual injuries to the eye, vitreous disease, diseases of the retina and optic nerve, retinitis pigmentosa, retinopathy, cataract, refractive errors, disorders of eye movement, and visual field defects, reports the Express.

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Conditions not on the list may also be supported by the benefit. Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if a person has a severe physical or mental disability or illness that makes self-care challenging – it does not cover mobility needs.

A claimant doesn't need to have someone caring for them in order to claim. If you're living with a disability or illness that requires daily assistance or supervision, even if you're not currently receiving help, it might be worth considering applying for Attendance Allowance.

This could also be an option if you find personal tasks challenging. It's important to note that Attendance Allowance isn't just for those with physical disabilities or illnesses.

Common sight loss conditions:

These are typical health issues affecting vision that can be supported through disability benefits. However, if your condition isn't listed, it doesn't mean you won't be eligible for support.

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.