The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is providing an additional weekly payment of up to £176 to state pensioners who qualify for certain health-related benefits. Under current DWP rules, claimants may receive the disability premium alone, or they could also qualify for the severe or enhanced disability premium if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Disability Premium Amounts
For the disability premium, a single person receives £44.85 per week, while a couple gets £64 per week. Those eligible for the severe disability premium can receive £86.05 per week for a single person or £172.10 per week for a couple if both partners qualify. Some couples may instead receive the lower amount of £86.05 per week.
Qualifying Benefits for Severe Disability Premium
To qualify for the severe disability premium, you must already receive the disability premium or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and one of the following benefits:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component at the middle or highest rate
- Adult Disability Payment – daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance paid with Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or War Pension
You receive the higher amount of severe disability premium if both you and your partner are eligible. The lower amount applies if someone receives Carer’s Allowance, the carers element of Universal Credit, or Carer Support Payment for looking after only one of you, or if only one of you meets the criteria and the other is registered blind.
Enhanced Disability Premium Eligibility
For the enhanced disability premium, you must be under pension credit age and receive the disability premium or income-related ESA, plus one of the following:
- PIP daily living component at the higher (enhanced) rate
- AFIP
- DLA care component at the highest rate
- Adult Disability Payment – daily living component at the enhanced rate
You also qualify if you are in the support group for income-related ESA. All benefits, pensions, and allowances are paid directly into your bank account or chosen account.
