The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released data showing that 76 ear and eye conditions are eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefits. Claimants could receive up to £778 per month.
What is PIP?
Personal Independence Payment is a benefit for people who need extra help due to an illness, disability, or mental health condition. You can claim PIP regardless of whether you receive help from others, and it is not based on your income, savings, or employment status. You do not need to have paid National Insurance contributions to qualify.
Payment Rates
PIP consists of two components: daily living and mobility. The daily living component is worth £114.60 per week at the higher rate and £76.70 at the lower rate. The mobility component is worth £80 per week at the higher rate and £30 at the lower rate. Claimants who receive both components at the higher rate will receive a total of £778 per month.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for PIP, you must have difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around due to a physical or mental condition. These difficulties must have lasted for at least 3 months and be expected to continue for at least another 9 months. You must live in England or Wales when you apply, unless you or a close family member are in the armed forces. PIP is not based on your specific condition or medication; it is based on the level of help you need.
Full List of 76 Eligible Ear and Eye Conditions
According to DWP data, the following conditions are eligible for PIP:
- Sensorineural hearing loss
- Diseases of the retina and optic nerve
- Deafness - congenital
- Visual field defects
- Other diseases affecting vision
- Vision - Other diseases affecting / type not known
- Cortical blindness
- Sensorineural hearing loss - Other causes of / type not known
- Mixed hearing loss
- Hearing loss - mixed
- Other diseases affecting hearing & balance
- Disease affecting hearing & balance - Other/ type not known
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Visual field defects - Other / type not known
- Glaucoma
- Retina and optic nerve - Other diseases of / type not known
- Macular degeneration
- Diseases of conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids and lacrimal apparatus
- Conductive hearing loss
- Disorders of eye movement
- Conductive hearing loss - Other causes of / type not known
- Menieres disease
- Nystagmus
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Cataract
- Optic atrophy
- Keratoconus
- Conjunctiva cornea eyelids and lacrimal apparatus - Other diseases of / type not known
- Retinal detachment
- Retinopathy - Other / type not known
- Refractive errors
- Uveitis
- Injuries - Visual
- Eyes - Injuries to
- Tunnel vision
- Myopia (short-sighted)
- Eye movement - Other disorders of / type not known
- Diplopia (double vision)
- Chorioretinal disorders - Other / type not known
- Optic neuritis
- Vitreous disease
- Hemianopia
- Anterior Uveitis (iritis)
- Sensorineural hearing loss due to Trauma
- Labyrinthitis
- Amblyopia
- Otosclerosis
- Retinal vein occlusion
- Refractive errors - Other / type not known
- Astigmatism
- Vitreous disease - Other / type not known
- Keratitis
- Vitreous haemorrhage
- Retinal artery occlusion
- Corneal ulceration
- Mastoiditis
- Conductive hearing loss due to Trauma
- Posterior (choroiditis)
- Hypermetropia (long-sighted)
- Strabismus (Squint)
- Hypertensive retinopathy
- Otitis externa - chronic
- Posterior vitreous detachment
- Ptosis
- Scleritis
- Chronic suppurative otitis media
- Chronic secretory otitis media
- Herpes zoster - ophthalmic
- Quadrantanopia
- Scotoma
- Orbital cellulitis
- Presbyacusis
- Entropion
For more information, visit the official DWP website or consult Citizens Advice.
