Brits with a number of hearing issues could be eligible for up to £441 a month from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Across the UK, there are believed to be 12 million adults living with a hearing impairment or deafness.

However, only 35,633 of these are currently receiving additional financial aid through Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). As reported by the Daily Record, PADP is a devolved payment that has now superseded all new claims for Attendance Allowance in Scotland.

This benefit is managed and distributed by Social Security Scotland, not the DWP.

More than 9,300 people above the State Pension age are now receiving either £73.90 for the lower rate, or £110.40 for the higher rate of Attendance Allowance each week due to a hearing condition.

Payments are typically made every four weeks, which equates to either £296.60 or £441.60 per pay period.

This payment could be worth up to £441 a month (Image: Getty)

There are 15 primary hearing conditions being supported through these three disability benefits, but this is not an exhaustive list as the benefit supports a continually evolving list of conditions.

If you, or someone you know, below the State Pension age (66) has a hearing condition, you should consider making a new claim for PIP or ADP – find out more here.

If you, or someone you are acquainted with, is aged 66 or above and living with a hearing impairment, it may be worth considering applying for Attendance Allowance or PADP. Currently, Attendance Allowance is assisting nearly 1.7 million individuals across Great Britain, including 150,000 residing in Scotland.

Both Attendance Allowance and PADP are intended to aid those of State Pension age with daily living costs and can also contribute to them maintaining their independence at home for an extended period.

It’s crucial to note that unlike PIP or ADP, there is no mobility component included in Attendance Allowance or PADP; these benefits solely provide support for the additional cost of daily living.

Hearing conditions

The following are common hearing issues that are supported through disability benefits. However, if your condition isn’t listed, it doesn’t imply it’s not supported and might fall under the “unknown” category.

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

• Other conditions

  However, Attendance Allowance and PADP are not solely for those with hearing impairments – they’re available to individuals with various conditions. These benefits can assist with additional expenses if you have a physical or mental disability or illness that significantly hinders your ability to care for yourself – it does not cater to mobility needs.

  There’s no requirement for you to have a carer in order to make a claim. If you have a disability or illness and require assistance or supervision throughout the day or occasionally during the night – even if you’re not currently receiving this help – you should contemplate applying for Attendance Allowance or PADP.

  This could encompass:

  • Assistance with personal care – such as dressing, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and using the toilet
  • Help to ensure safety

  You should also consider making a claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:

  • A mental health condition
  • Learning difficulties
  • A sensory condition – for instance, if you’re deaf or blind

  If you reside in Scotland, you can find more information at mygov.scot/pension-age-disability-payment. For further details on Attendance Allowance, visit gov.uk/attendance-allowance.