It is estimated that around two million people in the UK are struggling with sight problems or a degenerative eye condition. More than 59,000 adults under 65 who are still of working age receive additional financial help through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
Meanwhile, almost 50,000 people above the AOW retirement age regularly receive payments through the Attendance Allowance.
Three quarters of people with a visual impairment are over 65 years old, and around 8,000 working-age people are registered as blind or partially sighted. For adults who lose their sight in later life, it can be incredibly stressful, feeling that they can no longer take part in activities they once enjoyed, such as driving, playing sports, reading and cooking.
Mobility can also be affected, potentially leading to issues with independence and travel. However, it is crucial to note that the special disability benefit for people over the state pension age – Attendance Allowance – does not include a component for mobility needs.
Attendance Allowance, administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is a tax-free benefit. It currently provides additional financial support to more than 1.6 million people in the UK, including 143,724 in Scotland, the Daily Record reports.
The benefit is intended to help people who have reached state pension age with their daily expenses and to enable them to continue living independently at home for longer.
Elderly people who apply for benefits for a visual impairment
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that in February 2024 a total of 49,677 people were receiving £68.10 or £101.75 each week because of a ‘visual impairment or illness’.
This total number includes claimants suffering from:
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Scotland: 4,526
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England: 41,862
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Wales: 3,159
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Living abroad: 126
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Total: 49,677
Common eye conditions in the elderly
There are more than 45 eye conditions that affect adults nationwide, including:
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Cataract
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Myopia (nearsightedness)
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Macular Degeneration – Wet and Dry (also called Age-Related MD)
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Glaucoma
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Retinitis Pigmentosa
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Retina and optic nerve – other diseases of / type not known
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Diabetic retinopathy (a condition that can cause vision loss in people with diabetes)
If you, or someone you know, is under the state pension age and has a visual impairment, it may be worth making a new application for PIP or ADP. You can find out more here.
If you, or someone you know, has reached state pension age and has a visual impairment, even severe myopia (near-sightedness), you may find it useful to claim Attendance Allowance.
Vision loss disorders
These are common health conditions that affect vision and for which you may be eligible for disability benefits. If your condition is not listed, it does not mean it is not covered.
Diseases of the conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids and lacrimal apparatus
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Conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids and lacrimal apparatus – Other diseases of / type not known
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Corneal ulceration
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Entropy
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Shingles – ophthalmological
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Keratitis
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Keratoconus
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Orbital cellulitis
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Ptosis
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Scleritis
Uveitis
Glaucoma
Visual injuries to the eye
Vitreous disease
Diseases of the retina and optic nerve
Cataract
Refractive errors
Eye movement disorders
Visual field defects
Below is an overview of the benefit and how to make a new claim to DWP. Full details on how to claim Attendance Allowance can be found here on the GOV.UK website.
What is an attendance fee?
Attendance Allowance is a benefit designed to help with additional costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness that is severe enough to make self-care difficult. However, it is important to note that this allowance does not cover mobility needs and having a carer is not a requirement to claim.
Who is eligible?
If you have a disability or illness and require assistance or supervision during the day or at night, even if you are not currently receiving that assistance, you may wish to consider applying for a Care Allowance.
This may include the following:
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Assistance with personal care, such as dressing, eating, getting in and out of bed, bathing, showering and going to the toilet.
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Help ensure your safety.
You may also consider applying if you have difficulty with personal tasks, for example if they are time-consuming, painful, or if you need physical support such as a chair to lean on.
It’s worth noting that Attendance Allowance isn’t just for people with a physical disability or illness. If you need help or supervision during the day or night because of a mental health condition, learning difficulty or sensory condition (such as deafness or blindness), you should also consider making a claim.
How much can I receive from the Attendance Allowance?
The amount you can receive ranges from £72.65 at the lower rate to £108.55 at the higher rate. Payments are usually made every four weeks in arrears. The money can be used as you wish and can help you remain independent at home for longer.
Attendance Allowance can be used for a range of expenses, including taxi fares, paying bills and hiring a cleaner or gardener. Even if you have savings and other income, you can still claim the allowance. It is not means tested, so your other financial resources will not affect your eligibility.
Furthermore, it is tax-free and exempt from the Benefit Cap, meaning it will not reduce any other benefits you receive. Your State Pension is not affected by Attendance Allowance. You can even claim it while you are still employed and earning an income.
If you receive Attendance Allowance, your other benefits may increase, such as Extra Pension Credit, a reduction in housing benefit and a reduction in council tax.
To make a claim, you will need to fill in a lengthy claim form. While this may seem daunting at first, help is available from your local Citizens Advice.
As you approach retirement age, there are a number of things you need to take into account.
If you are considering claiming Attendance Allowance when you reach state pension age, it may be more beneficial to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away. The amount of PIP you receive will depend on your personal circumstances and how your disability or illness affects you.
However, not everyone is eligible for Attendance Allowance. If you are already receiving PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to cover your healthcare costs, you will not be eligible for Attendance Allowance.
If you claim Attendance Allowance while receiving DLA, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will usually reassess your DLA award.
You can renew your PIP or DLA when the current award expires, provided you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful, you can then apply for Attendance Allowance.