Is atrial fibrillation a disability?
Under the Equality Act 2010, a condition counts as a disability if it has a substantial (more than minor) and long-term (12 months or more) effect on your normal daily activities. The law looks at how you would be without treatment. AF that causes frequent symptoms, such as breathlessness and tiredness, may be covered.
Reasonable adjustments
- time off for appointments, cardioversion or ablation
- more breaks, or less heavy physical work
- flexible hours if tiredness is a problem
- a phased return after treatment
If you drive a lorry or bus for work, you must check the DVLA rules.
Benefits
Most people with AF alone will not qualify for PIP. It may help if AF, often together with heart failure or another condition, affects activities such as:
- moving around, if breathlessness or dizziness stop you walking more than a short distance reliably
- preparing food or washing, if you need to stop and rest often
PIP points self-check
Go through the 12 PIP activities one at a time and see roughly how many points may apply to you.
About 10 minutes. Your answers never leave your device.
If you are over State Pension age, look at Attendance Allowance instead of PIP. It is for people who need help with personal care or supervision.
If you cannot work
If your health means you cannot work, or can only work a little, you may be able to get New Style Employment and Support Allowance or extra money in Universal Credit. These are separate from PIP, and you can get them at the same time.
Free, independent advisers, such as Citizens Advice or a local welfare rights service, can help you check what you can claim and fill in forms.
Sources we used
- GOV.UK, Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010
- GOV.UK, Personal Independence Payment
- GOV.UK, Atrial fibrillation and driving
We check this page at least once a year, and sooner when the rules change. Read how we check our facts, or tell us if something looks wrong.