Britons who have reached state pension age and are experiencing vision problems are being urged to determine if they qualify for up to £101.75 a week through Attendance Allowance.
This benefit offers financial support to those with physical or mental health conditions that make self-care challenging with two payment rates: £68.10 or £101.75 per week, depending on the severity of the condition.
A weekly Attendance Allowance is paid to people with a physical or mental condition who are unable to look after themselves. This benefit provides extra support for those who are unable to look after themselves.
Attendance Allowance Eligibility for Visually Impaired People
Peoples who are suffering from eye conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa or diabetic retinopathy may be eligible.
Furthermore, those receiving Attendance Allowance might also qualify for additional benefits, including extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or a council tax reduction.
However, the absence of a specific illness from the list doesn't disqualify someone from receiving help. Attendance Allowance extends to anyone with a severe physical or mental disability or illness that complicates self-care, even if mobility isn't an issue. Crucially, claimants do not need to have a caregiver to qualify.
If you have a disability or illness requiring assistance or supervision during the day or night, you might consider applying for Attendance Allowance, even if you are not currently receiving of this type of assistance.
Common Vision Conditions Supported
Here is a comprehensive list of eyesight conditions that are supported through disability benefits:
Diseases of conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids, and lacrimal apparatus
- Corneal ulceration
- Entropion
- Herpes zoster (ophthalmic)
- Keratitis
- Keratoconus
- Orbital cellulitis
- Ptosis
- Scleritis
- Other diseases of conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids, and lacrimal apparatus
Uveitis
- Anterior uveitis (iritis)
- Chorioretinal disorders (other/unspecified types)
- Posterior uveitis (choroiditis)
- Glaucoma
- Visual injuries to the eye
Vitreous disease
- Posterior vitreous detachment
- Other unspecified vitreous diseases
- Vitreous haemorrhage
Diseases of the retina and optic nerve
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Hypertensive retinopathy
- Macular degeneration
- Optic atrophy
- Optic neuritis
- Other unspecified diseases of the retina and optic nerve
- Retinal artery occlusion
- Retinal detachment
- Retinal vein occlusion
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Other unspecified retinopathies
- Cataract
Refractive errors
- Astigmatism
- Hypermetropia (long-sightedness)
- Myopia (short-sightedness)
- Presbyopia
- Other unspecified refractive errors
Disorders of eye movement
- Other unspecified eye movement disorders
- Nystagmus
- Strabismus (squint)
Visual field defects
- Amblyopia
- Cortical blindness
- Diplopia (double vision)
- Hemianopia
- Quadrantanopia
- Scotoma
- Tunnel vision
- Other unspecified visual field defects