Is arthritis a disability?
Does arthritis count as a disability?
If you or a loved one lives with arthritis, you are likely looking for ways to improve quality of life while managing the condition. One question that may arise is whether or not arthritis counts as a disability, and if there are any financial benefits available. Here, we are looking at common symptoms of arthritis, its impact on daily life, defining whether or not it is a disability, the benefits and financial support available, advice for families caring for a loved one with arthritis, and how professional home care could help. At Home Instead, our aim is to help people age positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 20 years, we have been providing the highest standard of care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals. Today, we are the world’s largest global domiciliary care network, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have about arthritis in older adults, we can help.
What is arthritis, and what impact could it have on daily life?
Arthritis is a common health condition affecting around 10 million people in the UK, and it is most often found in older people aged over 50 years old. It is known to cause a number of symptoms which differ from person to person depending on the specific type of arthritis, the affected joints, the severity of their condition, and more. These might include:
- Joint pain – Pain around the affected joints is common in arthritis, and this might feel like a dull, sharp or throbbing pain that is anywhere from mild to intense depending on how advanced their condition is, their level of activity, and other health conditions.
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion – Joints tend to be stiff when affected by arthritis, which can lead to a reduced range of motion that impacts certain activities due to lack of dexterity. This may be more apparent in the morning or after periods of inactivity, and could look like an ability to fully extend or flex joints, or a reluctance to do so due to pain.
- Swelling – Inflammation can increase fluid in the affected joints, which can cause swelling, puffiness and tenderness. This can lead to discomfort and further reduce function in joints.
- Limited mobility – Due to the aforementioned reduced range of motion and pain, arthritis can lead to older people having limited mobility and being unable to move easily around the home or outside the house. They may be unable to walk, or even get up out of a chair or bed unassisted, and require help from a caregiver.
- Other symptoms – Arthritis can cause additional symptoms such as fatigue, sleep issues, and mental health concerns like depression.
The two most common types of arthritis affecting older adults are:
- Osteoarthritis – This is caused by the cartilage in the joints breaking down over time due to wear and tear (this affects around 19-30% of adults aged 45 and over). You can read more in our guide to the differences between osteoporosis vs osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – This is an autoimmune condition causing the immune system to attack the body’s own tissues, causing symptoms similar to osteoarthritis. This condition could also cause fatigue, general weakness, and sometimes a fever.
Living with arthritis can also have an emotional impact on older adults due to chronic pain and stiffness that leads to frustration and a sense of helplessness. Everyday tasks may become much more difficult or even impossible, and this loss of independence can cause sadness or depression when people are forced to rely on others for assistance. Arthritis can cause social isolation, limited participation in enjoyable activities, and a fear of worsening symptoms.You may find more useful information in our guide to living with arthritis.Arthritis cannot be cured, so treating this condition involves finding management strategies to improve symptoms, and as a result, quality of life and independence. Over time older adults may need assistance to help with symptoms, such as professional home care, home adaptations, or financial support.
Is arthritis considered a disability?
Arthritis can be considered a disability under UK law if it is recognised as a long-term condition that significantly impairs a person’s daily activities, according to the Equality Act 2010. To be considered a long-term health issue, it must last more than 12 months, and typically in the UK rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and a number of others are recognised in this way, as they may limit mobility, dexterity and overall daily functioning. People with arthritis can experience a substantial number of limitations when attempting to walk, lift things, perform daily chores and more, which makes them eligible for certain protections and accommodations. To qualify for any financial support for arthritis, you will need to have an official diagnosis of this condition from your doctor. Depending on the reported symptoms, arthritis is typically diagnosed using a combination of physical examinations to assess joint pain and stiffness, and medical history including symptom onset and duration, family history of arthritis, and more. From there, a doctor may request imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs or ultrasound scans to help visualise joint inflammation, damage, or structural changes, and blood tests to identify inflammation markers or autoimmune activity.
What benefits or financial support could I get for arthritis?
The benefits or financial support you can get for living with arthritis will be unique to your own situation, so it is important to research how the factors affecting your personal arthritis diagnosis may impact the amount of money or other benefits you are entitled to. As an overview, here are some of the UK benefits and support you may be able to apply for if you have arthritis:
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
This benefit is designed to help anyone who needs assistance with daily activities or getting around due to a long-term illness or disability such as arthritis. PIP is gradually replacing the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), but keep in mind if you were born before the 8th of April 1948 and you currently claim DLA, you can keep doing so.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment if:
- You are under State Pension age (if you start claiming this before State Pension age, you will still receive it afterwards)
- You have a long-term illness or disability making daily life more challenging, or that has forced you to give up work or reduce your hours
- You need help with day-to-day living activities, getting around, or both
PIP eligibility is not based on your National Insurance contributions and is not means tested, so it doesn’t matter how much you earn or have in savings.
How much can I get?
How much you receive depends on how much help you need to do certain things. There is the daily living component and the mobility component, so you may be eligible for one or both of these depending on your condition.
- For the daily living component you could receive a weekly rate of £68.10 or an enhanced rate of £101.75 depending on your circumstances
- For the mobility component, you could receive a weekly rate of £26.90 or an enhanced rate of £71.00 depending on your circumstances
If you already claim Pension Credits and you have a disability, you may be eligible for an extra payment known as a Severe Disability Premium, which can be up to £76.40 a week.
How do I claim?
To claim for PIP, you can:
- Fill out a Personal Independence Payment form, which you can get from either the Department for Work and Pensions by calling 0800 917 2222 in the UK, or use textphone 0800 917 7777.
- Write to ‘Personal Independence Payment New Claims’. You will find more information on how to do this on the GOV.UK website.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a benefit designed for anyone who cannot work due to illness or disability. If you have severe arthritis, this may be the case for you.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for ESA if:
- You have a limited capability for work because of an illness or disability
- You are under State Pension age
- You have made the required National Insurance contributions
- You are not receiving Statutory Sick Pay
- You are not working
How much can I get?
How much ESA you can receive depends on your individual circumstances, and your claim will be assessed by a healthcare professional before it is granted. It can take a while for claims to be assessed, so during this time you will usually be paid an assessment rate for up to 13 weeks. If found to be eligible after the assessment is completed, you will either receive:
- Work-related activity, which is up to £90.50 per week – this is for those who will eventually be able to get back to work in the future
- Support, which is up to £138.20 per week – this is for those unable to get back to work due to illness or disability (for older adults with arthritis, this may be the case)
Keep in mind, ESA is based on your National Insurance contributions, and is taxable. If you have a private pension or you are claiming other benefits, this may be reduced.
How do I claim?
Making a claim for ESA requires you to submit a form, either on behalf of yourself or someone else. You can do this through your local Jobcentre Plus by calling 0800 055 6688, or online at GOV.UK. You will then be invited to a medical assessment called a ‘work capability assessment’, and be asked to fill in a ‘limited capacity for work’ questionnaire to find out more about how your illness or disability affects you.
Attendance Allowance
This is a benefit for those over State Pension age who need help with personal care (or need to be supervised for safety) due to an illness or disability such as arthritis.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for Attendance Allowance if:
- You are over State Pension age (if you have not yet reached it, you should look into Personal Independence Payment instead – see above)
- You have any type of disability, or physical or mental illness, including sight or hearing impairments and conditions such as dementia
- You could benefit from help with personal care, such as washing or getting dressed, or you need care to keep you safe during the day or at night
- You have needed help for at least 6 months
- You are terminally ill (if this is the case you can claim immediately)
Attendance Allowance is not means tested, so it won’t matter how much savings or income you have, and claiming won’t affect other benefits you receive.
How much can I get?
Similar to Personal Independence Payment, there are two rates you might receive depending on how much help you need. Both amounts are typically paid every 4 weeks, and are not taxable.
- The lower rate is for those who require help either during the day or at night, and this is £68.10 per week
- The higher rate is for those who need help during the day and at night, and this is £101.75 per week
How do I claim?
To make a claim, you must fill out the Attendance Allowance claim form which you can obtain either by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, or by downloading a claim form from the GOV.UK website. Keep in mind you may need to submit supporting documents with this, such as GP letters, care plans or prescriptions.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a benefit that is means-tested and not taxable. It is paid monthly, and can help anyone who is on a low income or unable to work.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for Universal Credit if:
- You live in the UK
- You are under State Pension age
- You have a low income or are not working
- You have savings totalling less than £16,000
- You are not in education
- You accept a ‘claimant commitment’, which outlines what you need to do to keep receiving Universal Credit based on your individual circumstances
How much can I get?
The amount of Universal Credit you get will depend on a number of factors, including how much you earn and how much you have in savings. It is not necessarily designed for people with disabilities, but it can still provide payments for those with a disability. Standard Universal Credit allowances depend on age and whether the person is single or in a couple.
- If you are single and over 25, you may be eligible for £393.45 per month
- If you are in a couple and both over 25, you may be eligible for £617.60 per month
You may also be eligible for more if you have housing costs, a health condition or disability, are caring for a disabled person, have dependent children, or have childcare costs to pay.
How do I claim?
You can claim for Universal Credit by filling out the online claim form on the government website. To do this, you will need your National Insurance number, your bank account details, information about your income and savings, details of your household (such as your partner or other people who live with you), details of any housing costs (such as rent), and your email address (and a different one for your partner).
Transport Benefits
If you are over age 60 or you have a disability such as arthritis, you could be entitled to free or discounted travel on public transport services, or to receive a Blue Badge:
- Free bus passes: In England you can travel free with a bus pass when you reach the State Pension age, and if you live in London you can get free travel on buses, trains and other modes of transport in and around London with a 60+ London Oyster photocard. You can apply for these on the GOV.UK website.
- Disabled persons bus passes: There is not one singular provider of a disabled person’s bus pass, but usually your local council will offer a version of this which you can apply for if you are eligible. Reach out to your local council to find out more.
- Senior railcards: Depending on your age and circumstances, you may be entitled to a Senior Railcard which can offer you a third off the cost of train travel. Keep in mind, you will need to pay a small upfront cost to obtain this, but if you use the train a lot you could save money in the long run. This is usually available for anyone aged 60+, and you can find out more about the Senior Railcard and apply online.
- Blue Badge permits: In the UK, a Blue Badge is a badge allowing you to park in certain places other drivers cannot, such as disabled spaces in car parks. The badge is linked to the person with the disability, not the car, which means you can take it with you anywhere (like in a taxi or in a relative’s car). You can apply for this badge on the GOV.UK website.
Keep in mind, the benefits you are entitled to can vary depending on where in the UK you live, your level of income or savings, the symptoms you struggle with, and the individual benefits available depending on the government eligibility criteria, which changes regularly. To find the most up-to-date details on benefits and financial support available, it is always best to check the UK government website.You may find more helpful information about potential financial benefits in our guide to financial benefits for pensioners.
Am I eligible for benefits if I am a carer for someone with arthritis?
You may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you are a carer for someone with arthritis. This is a weekly payment to help support you if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.Who is eligible? You may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if:
- You care for someone at least 35 hours a week, helping with tasks such as washing, cooking, taking the person you care for to doctor’s appointments, etc.
- You are 16 years old or over
- You care for the person alone or with others
- The person you care for already receives Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, or certain other benefits – you can learn more about which benefits are eligible here
There are some exemptions that may make you ineligible for Carer’s Allowance, for example if you share the care and another carer is already claiming Carer’s Allowance for that person. Check the GOV.UK website for more information to see if you qualify.
How much can I get?
£76.75 per week, but you may not receive the full amount of both Carer’s Allowance and your State Pension simultaneously. If your State Pension is over £76.75 a week, your Pension Credit payments may increase instead.Plus, if you are a carer and claim Pension Credits, you could receive an extra payment known as Carer Addition, of up to £42.75 a week.
How do I claim?
You’ll need your National Insurance number to hand, as well as your bank or building society details, employment details (if applicable), and more. You can check everything you need here. You may also need details of the person you are caring for, such as their date of birth and address and National Insurance number.You can make a claim for Carer’s Allowance on the GOV.UK website, and can backdate your claim by up to 3 months if applicable.
How can families create a supportive environment for loved ones with arthritis?
Creating a supportive environment for loved ones with arthritis is important to ensure they feel safe and as independent as possible while living in their own home. Families caring for someone with arthritis could:
- Learn about the condition and the challenges their loved one faces each day in order to provide adequate physical and psychological care
- Provide emotional support by listening with empathy and encouraging open communication to foster understanding and reduce feelings of frustration
- Encourage physical activity if recommended by a doctor, such as gentle exercises or swimming to improve joint flexibility
- Organise and facilitate participation in social activities to minimise feelings of isolation and help them feel more engaged
- Offer transportation to medical appointments
- Assist with medication management if needed, to ensure consistent care
Families can also help by modifying the home to improve accessibility, such as installing grab bars or rearranging furniture to minimise strain on their body and make daily tasks easier. Local authorities will usually offer occupational therapy assessments to help identify which adaptations are most suitable and useful for the person’s individual arthritis struggles. They may also be eligible for a means-tested Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), which can help to fund major home changes, such as adding stairlifts or level-access showers. If you are not eligible, your local council may suggest other ways to help pay for adaptations, including financial benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or Attendance Allowance. Keep in mind that smaller adaptations (like adding grab rails) can often be implemented quickly with the help of adult social care, while larger changes (such as adaptations that require entire room renovations) will need to go through a DFG application through the local council. You can learn more about home adaptations and how to arrange these in our article: Home Adaptations For Disabled Older PeopleIf you are caring for a loved one with severe arthritis, you may find more useful information through local support groups, resources from their GP, or online advice at:
- Age UK – Here you will find advice on the financial support you may be able to claim for if you live with arthritis. You can find out more on their website.
- Arthritis Action – Here you will find information on living well with arthritis, and resources for cost of living support. You can find out more on their website.
- Versus Arthritis – Here you will find online resources and a dedicated helpline for those living with arthritis. You can learn more on their website, or call their helpline on: 0800 5200 520 (lines open Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm)
Can home care support those with arthritis?
Older adults may need further support from a professional home carer if their family members are struggling to manage their symptoms and needs. This means they can benefit from practical help with daily activities and emotional support, and home care can often be tailored to the person’s individual needs, meaning they can remain as independent as possible and only be supported as and when they need more help. A professional home carer can provide support ranging anywhere from regular companionship to live-in support, depending on the nature of the person’s arthritis and their level of need. Our experienced Care Professionals at Home Instead can provide:
- Encouragement and reminders to move around regularly and move affected joints (if recommended by a doctor or a physical therapist)
- Reminders to take medications to help with arthritis symptoms
- Help with meal planning, housekeeping and other regular home tasks that can be more challenging and painful for someone with arthritis
- Help with personal care activities that can be more difficult and dangerous for older adults with arthritis
- Support the use of assistive devices and home adaptations in order to keep the home environment safe for an older person living with arthritis
At Home Instead, we can provide highly trained Care Professionals who are experienced in helping older adults who live with arthritis. We’re an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest quality relationship-led care for older people in their own homes. Arranging care for yourself or your loved one shouldn’t be stressful, so whatever questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to the Home Instead team to discuss your needs.
Michelle Tennant, Clinical Governance Lead