DWP £441.60 Per Month: State Pensioners must Check Eligibility Conditions

If you’re living in the UK and dealing with hearing loss or deafness, you could be entitled to financial help from the government. For those over State Pension age (currently 66), the benefit called Attendance Allowance could give you up to £441.60 a month to help with the extra costs of daily living.

Millions of people across the UK have some level of hearing difficulty, but not everyone knows they might qualify for this support.

How Many People Are Affected?

According to health data, around 12 million adults in Great Britain live with hearing loss or deafness. But surprisingly, only around 35,600 of them currently receive financial support through disability benefits like:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
• Attendance Allowance
• Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP)

These benefits are there to help with daily expenses, whether it’s equipment, care, or home support.

What Is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a benefit given to people over State Pension age who have a disability or health condition that makes it difficult to look after themselves.

For hearing-related conditions, the benefit is paid at two different rates:

• £73.90 per week (lower rate)
• £110.40 per week (higher rate)

That’s up to £441.60 every four weeks paid straight to your bank account. This money helps with extra costs like support workers, special devices, or anything else you might need to stay independent at home.

Who Can Claim It?

If you’re:

• 66 or older
• Living with hearing loss or balance issues
• Needing help with daily activities like communicating, dressing, or safety

…then you might be eligible for Attendance Allowance (or PADP if you’re in Scotland).

If you’re below pension age, you should instead check eligibility for PIP (in England and Wales) or ADP (in Scotland).

What Hearing Conditions Are Covered?

The government recognises a range of hearing conditions under disability benefits. These include:

Conductive Hearing Loss

• Chronic secretory otitis media
• Chronic suppurative otitis media
• Otosclerosis
• Mastoiditis
• Otitis externa (chronic)
• Conductive hearing loss due to trauma
• Unknown or other causes

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

• Congenital deafness
• Labyrinthitis
• Meniere’s disease
• Presbyacusis (age-related hearing loss)
• Sensorineural hearing loss due to trauma
• Other or unknown causes

Other Conditions

• Mixed hearing loss
• Balance disorders linked to ear diseases

If your exact condition is not listed, you might still be eligible. It could be grouped under ‘other or unknown’ categories.

Claim Figures as of August 2024

Based on government data:

• England: 7,948 people are receiving Attendance Allowance for hearing loss
• Scotland: 890 claimants
• Wales: 690 claimants
• Living abroad: 26 recipients

Important Notes About the Benefit

Unlike PIP or ADP, Attendance Allowance does not include a mobility component. This means it’s only for help with daily living costs, not for transport or travel-related expenses.

You don’t need to have a full-time carer or need help every day to qualify—but you should show how your condition affects your daily routine.

How to Apply

To apply for Attendance Allowance:

1. Visit the GOV.UK website for the official form
2. Fill it out and post it to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
3. Include any medical evidence or proof of your condition

There’s also support available from charities and hearing loss organisations to help with your application.

If you or someone you know is over State Pension age and living with hearing loss or a hearing-related condition, you could be missing out on up to £441.60 every month. Attendance Allowance is meant to help with the daily challenges of living with hearing problems and can help maintain independence at home. With over 12 million people affected by hearing loss in the UK, it’s important to spread awareness about this support. Whether your condition is new or has lasted for years, it’s worth checking if you qualify.

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