The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides additional financial support for people struggling with poor eyesight. Through the Attendance Allowance, eligible individuals can claim up to £441 per month to help manage daily living challenges.
Recent figures from the DWP (as of August 2024) reveal that 50,993 people currently receive weekly payments of either £73.90 or £110.40 for conditions linked to visual disorders or eye diseases.
Who Can Claim Attendance Allowance?
You may qualify for this benefit if you have reached State Pension age and experience:
- A physical disability, including sensory impairments like blindness.
- A mental disability, such as learning difficulties.
- A long-term health condition that impacts your daily life.
Eligibility also requires that your disability or health issue is severe enough to need personal care or supervision for safety reasons. Additionally, this need for assistance must have continued for at least six months before applying.
Common Eye Conditions That May Qualify
There are more than 50 eye conditions that often affect older adults and may lead to Attendance Allowance eligibility. These include:
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Macular degeneration (wet and dry forms)
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Optic atrophy and optic neuritis
- Retinal detachment or vein occlusion
- Astigmatism, myopia (short-sightedness), and hypermetropia (long-sightedness)
- Nystagmus and strabismus (squint)
- Cortical blindness, tunnel vision, hemianopia, and scotoma
The list extends to more complex conditions like keratitis, chorioretinal disorders, vitreous haemorrhage, hypertensive retinopathy, and various other refractive errors and visual field defects.
This wide range of recognized eye conditions demonstrates that support is available for individuals facing both mild and severe sight problems that hinder independence.
The DWP Attendance Allowance offers crucial financial relief for older adults living with eyesight problems or serious visual impairments. With weekly payments ranging from £73.90 to £110.40, this benefit ensures that those who need extra support for care and supervision receive the help they deserve.
By covering a wide variety of 51 recognized eye conditions, the scheme highlights the government’s effort to improve the quality of life for people with long-term vision issues.
FAQs
Eligible claimants can receive either £73.90 or £110.40 per week, depending on the severity of their condition.
No, you don’t need to be completely blind. The allowance covers a range of eye conditions and visual impairments that affect daily living.
You must demonstrate that your condition has required care or supervision for at least six months before making a claim.