People around the world are marking Deaf Awareness Week to raise public understanding of issues relating to hearing loss, an issue affecting 12 million people across the UK. There are more than 12,000 people in Greater Manchester alone registered as living with some form of deafness or hearing loss, but many are not aware that they could receive up to £737 per month to help with their condition.
Despite the large number of people living with hearing issues, only 36,946 adults in Great Britain are receiving support from the four-weekly Personal Independence Payment system, which was designed to help people with extra costs relating to a disability or long-term health condition.
It is worth remembering that people over State Pension age with hearing loss cannot claim these benefits, but may be eligible to apply for Attendance Allowance. Some 8,616 people over 66 with a hearing impairment are receiving up to £434.20 each month through this tax-free benefit, reports the Daily Record.
READ MORE: DWP update on PIP crackdown reveals truth behind planned changes to benefits
Not everyone who is deaf or hard of hearing will qualify for government assistance, but many with specific conditions should consider finding out from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if they are eligible for monthly financial assistance.
The list below should only be used as a guide and represents the hearing conditions recorded by the DWP during the PIP assessment process. If you are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have an impairment, you may be eligible.
Conductive hearing loss
- Chronic secretory otitis media
- Chronic suppurative otitis media
- Conductive hearing loss - Other causes / type not known
- Conductive hearing loss due to Trauma
- Mastoiditis
- Otitis externa - chronic
- Otosclerosis
Sensorineural hearing loss
- Deafness - congenital
- Labyrinthitis
- Menieres disease
- Presbyacusis
- Sensorineural hearing loss - Other causes / type not known
- Sensorineural hearing loss due to Trauma
Other hearing conditions
- Mixed hearing loss
- Other diseases affecting hearing and balance
Here's a brief overview of PIP.
As of the end of January, one in three (36%) of all claims with entitlement to PIP are receiving the highest level of award. An award for PIP can also lead to additional support for housing costs, Council Tax, other benefits and reduced travel on public transport - more information can be found here.
Who qualifies for PIP?
To be eligible for PIP you must have a health condition or disability where you:
have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months
expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months
You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply.
In addition to what we have outlined above if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP.
- preparing, cooking or eating food
- managing your medication
- washing, bathing or using the toilet
- dressing and undressing
- engaging and communicating with other people
- reading and understanding written information
- making decisions about money
- planning a journey or following a route
- moving around
How do you make a claim for PIP?
You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the GOV.UK website here.
Before you call, you will need:
your contact details
your date of birth
your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
your bank or building society account number and sort code
your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
How you are assessed
You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need, for PIP.
Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to be aware that the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant.