Thousands of people across the UK receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because a vision or hearing condition affects their daily lives. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published the latest figures showing 59 eye and ear conditions linked to PIP claims. While the list includes more than 100,000 existing claims, the DWP stresses that eligibility depends on how a condition affects a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities rather than on the diagnosis alone.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is designed to help people with the extra costs of living with a long-term illness or disability.
Following the annual benefit increase in April, PIP payments rose by 3.8%.
The benefit consists of two separate components:
- Daily Living
- Mobility
Depending on the level of support awarded, eligible claimants can receive up to approximately £748 over a four-week month.
Current PIP Payment Rates
The amount a person receives depends on how their condition affects their daily life and mobility.
| Component | Standard Rate | Enhanced Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Living | £76.55 | £114.80 |
| Mobility | £30.20 | £80.10 |
Someone receiving the enhanced Daily Living component along with Mobility support could receive around £187 per week, equivalent to roughly £748 over a four-week month.
How Eligibility Is Assessed
The DWP does not award PIP simply because someone has a particular eye or ear condition.
Instead, it considers how the condition affects a person’s ability to:
- Prepare food.
- Wash and dress.
- Communicate.
- Read information.
- Move around safely.
- Plan and follow journeys.
Each claim is assessed individually using a points-based system.
Medical evidence and the overall impact of the condition on daily life are considered during the assessment process.
Eye Conditions Included in DWP Data
The latest DWP statistics include the following eye-related conditions and associated PIP claims.
| Eye Condition | PIP Claims |
|---|---|
| Vision – Other diseases affecting/type not known | 13,255 |
| Cortical blindness | 9,322 |
| Retinitis Pigmentosa | 5,066 |
| Visual field defects – Other/type not known | 4,643 |
| Glaucoma | 4,094 |
| Retina and optic nerve – Other diseases | 4,078 |
| Macular degeneration | 3,282 |
| Nystagmus | 2,075 |
| Diabetic retinopathy | 1,996 |
| Cataract | 1,825 |
| Optic atrophy | 1,434 |
| Keratoconus | 1,363 |
| Conjunctiva, cornea, eyelids and lacrimal apparatus | 1,298 |
| Retinal detachment | 1,098 |
| Retinopathy – Other/type not known | 1,029 |
| Eyes – Injuries to | 592 |
| Tunnel vision | 561 |
| Myopia (short-sighted) | 485 |
| Eye movement disorders – Other | 447 |
| Diplopia (double vision) | 395 |
| Chorioretinal disorders | 392 |
| Optic neuritis | 324 |
| Hemianopia | 247 |
| Anterior uveitis (iritis) | 242 |
| Amblyopia | 170 |
| Retinal vein occlusion | 137 |
| Refractive errors – Other | 132 |
| Astigmatism | 127 |
| Vitreous disease – Other | 119 |
| Vitreous haemorrhage | 115 |
| Keratitis | 110 |
| Retinal artery occlusion | 103 |
| Corneal ulceration | 95 |
| Hypermetropia (long-sighted) | 66 |
| Posterior choroiditis | 62 |
| Strabismus (squint) | 60 |
| Hypertensive retinopathy | 53 |
| Posterior vitreous detachment | 38 |
| Scleritis | 37 |
| Ptosis | 35 |
| Herpes zoster – ophthalmic | 19 |
| Quadrantanopia | 17 |
| Scotoma | 15 |
| Orbital cellulitis | 9 |
| Entropion | 7 |
| Presbyopia | 0 |
Ear and Hearing Conditions Included in DWP Data
The DWP also recorded the following hearing and balance conditions.
| Ear or Hearing Condition | PIP Claims |
|---|---|
| Deafness – congenital | 15,854 |
| Sensorineural hearing loss – Other causes | 7,534 |
| Hearing loss – mixed | 6,854 |
| Disease affecting hearing and balance – Other | 6,490 |
| Conductive hearing loss – Other causes | 2,292 |
| Meniere’s disease | 2,285 |
| Labyrinthitis | 173 |
| Otosclerosis | 170 |
| Sensorineural hearing loss due to trauma | 187 |
| Conductive hearing loss due to trauma | 86 |
| Mastoiditis | 81 |
| Otitis externa – chronic | 33 |
| Chronic secretory otitis media | 31 |
| Chronic suppurative otitis media | 29 |
| Presbyacusis | 6 |
Most Common Conditions
Among the listed conditions, the highest numbers of PIP claims were associated with:
| Condition | Claims |
|---|---|
| Deafness – congenital | 15,854 |
| Vision – Other diseases affecting | 13,255 |
| Cortical blindness | 9,322 |
| Sensorineural hearing loss | 7,534 |
| Hearing loss – mixed | 6,854 |
| Disease affecting hearing and balance | 6,490 |
| Retinitis Pigmentosa | 5,066 |
| Visual field defects | 4,643 |
These figures represent existing PIP claims linked to each condition and should not be interpreted as approval rates.
Important Information
The DWP makes clear that this list is not exhaustive.
People may still qualify for PIP even if their specific eye or ear condition is not listed.
What matters most is whether the condition has a significant impact on daily living or mobility over a sustained period.
Individuals who experience ongoing difficulties because of vision loss, hearing loss or balance problems may wish to review the eligibility criteria before making a claim.
The latest DWP figures show the wide range of eye and ear conditions associated with existing PIP awards across the UK. However, receiving PIP is not based solely on a diagnosis. Every application is assessed on its individual circumstances, with decisions focusing on how a condition affects everyday life, independence and mobility. Those whose condition creates long-term challenges may be eligible for support if they meet the assessment criteria.
FAQs
Does having an eye condition guarantee PIP?
No. Eligibility depends on how it affects daily life.
What is the maximum Daily Living payment?
The enhanced rate is £114.80 per week.
Can hearing conditions qualify for PIP?
Yes. Many hearing and balance conditions may qualify.
Is the DWP list complete?
No. Other conditions may also qualify for PIP.
