Can You Claim Benefits If You Have Parkinson’s?

Since there are an estimated 145,000 people in the UK affected by Parkinson’s, it would be of much help to readers to learn whether someone suffering from the condition can claim benefits. This is why we aim to discuss through the content of this article, the benefits that someone with Parkinson’s can claim and their eligibility criteria.

Can You Claim Benefits If You Have Parkinson’s?

Yes, you can claim certain benefits if you have Parkinson’s or you are taking care of someone who suffers from the condition.

The benefits that one can claim for Parkinson’s are not means tested. This means that the amount one can claim from such benefits is not affected by income or savings. 

Benefits that you can claim with Parkinson’s include the following:

• Attendance Allowance, if you are of state pension age, have an illness or a disability due to which you need supervision and support to manage everyday tasks.
• Personal Independence Payment, if you need help in performing everyday tasks or moving around due to a health condition
• Carer’s Allowance is intended for people who are taking care of someone with Parkinson’s. However, they must spend at least 35 hours per week taking care of them.

Individuals suffering from Parkinson’s will automatically qualify for a Blue Badge as well; as long as they receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance. Otherwise, they should be able to score sufficient points for their Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

If you are a Blue Badge holder, you may be able to park in spaces where other drivers may not be able to while staying on the main streets. Since the Blue Badge is for you as a person and is not limited to your vehicle if you are travelling in a taxi or a hire car, the same benefit will be extended to that vehicle as well.

How Do You Qualify For Attendance Allowance If You Have Parkinson’s?

To qualify for Attendance Allowance, you need to meet the essential criteria for the benefit; which include the following:

• be under State Pension Age 
• require help with washing themselves, getting dressed, or need to be monitored to remain safe during the day or night
• be faced with a physical or mental illness, disability, or terminal illness that increases the requirement of being supervised or being taken care of by someone else
• be in England at the time of making the claim and must have lived in England for at least 2 of the previous 3 years

In addition to this, the claimant should be able to satisfy one of the disability tests. These include:

• The claimant requires regular support from another person with their bodily functions. This includes but is not limited to being able to wash themselves and other hygiene needs, getting in and out of bed, getting dressed and undressed, going to the toilet, taking medication, eating, drinking and communicating with others.

• The claimant requires continuous supervision at different intervals to make sure that they are safe, not causing danger or harm to themselves or others

• The claimant requires care from another person to help with their bodily functions. This can either be at least twice each night or for 20 minutes or more

• The claimant requires another person to remain awake during the night to supervise them and make sure that they are not a cause for harm to others. This can be at least 3 times each night, or for 20 minutes or more each night.

How Do You Qualify For Personal Independence Payment If You Have Parkinson’s?

To qualify for PIP, the claimant must be:

• living in England, Scotland or Wales
• have a long-term disability, physical or mental condition
• find it difficult to perform everyday tasks
• expect these difficulties for at least one year 

In addition to the basic eligibility criteria for PIP, claimants will have to go through an assessment session arranged by the DWP. during this session, a healthcare official will ask them different questions regarding the impact of Parkinson’s on their daily life.

You should discuss the following areas with the healthcare professional during your assessment:

• You should tell them about any pain, weakness or lethargy that you experience while carrying out everyday tasks.

• You should also mention how long it takes you to do things due to your condition. You can also tell them that since you feel being slowed down by Parkinson’s there are times you would avoid performing certain tasks.

• If anyone experiences a variation in their ability to perform tasks, they should not overestimate their abilities and remember that there are bad days as well as good days. Therefore, you must give the healthcare professional a complete snapshot of your overall condition and not a day in particular.

Once the consultation is over, the healthcare professional will draft a report and send it to a Department for Work and Pensions case manager; who will then process it for approval or refusal for PIP.

How Do You Qualify For Carer’s Allowance If You Take Care Of Someone With Parkinson’s?

If you take care of someone with Parkinson’s, you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance if you can fulfil the below conditions:

• spend a minimum of 35 hours per week caring for someone
• are above 16 years of age 
• are not in full-time education 
• earn less than or equal to £128 per week (after tax, national insurance and expenses)

Additionally, the person that you are caring for must be on either of the following benefits:

• Attendance Allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Disability Living Allowance 
• Personal Independence Payment 

While the Carer’s Allowance is below the threshold for income tax deduction; however, when combined with other sources of income of an individual and crossing the personal allowance limit of £12,750, the amount you receive as a carer’s allowance is taxable.

Conclusion:

According to research conducted by Sheffield Hallam University, the incremental cost of Parkinson’s on a household is around £16,582 per year. Considering this, it would be of much help to someone faced with the condition as well as their family to be able to claim benefits such as Attendance Allowance, Personal Indeepdnacne Payment and Carer’s Allowance, so that they can meet some of these additional costs of living. 

FAQs: Can You Claim Benefits If You Have Parkinson’s?

Does Parkinson’s qualify for long-term disability?

Even though Parkinson’s is a serious and progressive nervous disorder, the diagnosis alone does not qualify an individual for long-term disability benefits.

Are you allowed to drive if you have Parkinson’s?

While you are generally allowed to drive if you have Parkinson’s if you have condition you need to inform the DVLA. They will require you to undergo a medical and driving test to ensure that it is safe for you to drive.

Can Parkinson’s affect eyesight?

Yes, Parkinson’s affects your eyesight. The effects can range from dry eyes to blurry vision to difficulty in being able to read or drive.

Can Parkinson’s patients live alone?

Depending on their condition, many Parkinson’s patients continue to live alone and manage well too. However, some may need assisted care while others would need residential care.

Do all Parkinson’s patients develop dementia?

According to a medical study, nearly three-fourths of people who have lived with Parkinson’s developed dementia later in life.

References:

Benefits for people who have a disability, or care for someone who does | Parkinson’s UK

Money, grants and benefits | Parkinson’s UK

Living with Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s UK response – GOV.UK