Is Asthma A Disability? A Guide For UK Patients

In this article, we’ll look at whether asthma is considered a disability in the UK and what that means for you as a patient. We’ll explain how asthma is classified, what defines severe asthma and how this may affect your rights at work or when applying for benefits. We’ll also examine how disability is defined under UK law and when asthma may meet that definition. If you live with asthma and are unsure of your rights, this guide can help you better understand your options and the support available to you.

Key Takeaways

Here are the five biggest takeaways from this article about whether asthma is classified as a disability in the UK:

• Asthma may be considered a disability under the Equality Act 2010 if it has a substantial and long-term impact on a person's ability to carry out normal daily activities.

• Severe asthma is harder to control, even with high doses of medication or specialist treatment. It often requires hospital care or advanced therapies and is recognised as a disability under the Equality Act due to its profound and ongoing effect on daily life.

• This legislation applies in England, Scotland, and Wales (but not Northern Ireland) and protects individuals with physical or mental impairments from discrimination in areas such as employment, education, and access to services.

• For any condition to be classed as a disability, it must have a more than minor impact on day-to-day life and last, or be expected to last, at least 12 months.

• If your asthma limits your ability to carry out regular activities without medication or treatment, you may meet the definition of a disability.

Is Asthma considered a disability in the UK?

In the UK, asthma can be considered a disability if it meets certain criteria set out in the Equality Act 2010 [1]. According to the Act, a person is considered disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal daily activities.

For asthma to be classed as a disability, it must significantly impact daily life. For example, making it much harder to carry out routine tasks such as:

• Walking

• Getting dressed

• Climbing stairs

The condition must also be long-term, which usually means it has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months. Severe asthma, particularly when symptoms persist or are challenging to manage, may meet these criteria.

It’s worth noting that the Equality Act 2010 applies in England, Scotland, and Wales, but not in Northern Ireland, where different legislation is in place.

What is considered severe asthma?

Severe asthma is the most serious form of asthma and can be much harder to control, even when using high doses of medication. Unlike most people with asthma, who can manage their symptoms with a preventer and reliever inhaler, people with severe asthma often need specialist treatments and ongoing support to help reduce symptoms and prevent asthma attacks [2].

Severe asthma may be suspected if your symptoms are poorly controlled despite using high-strength inhalers or if you frequently need steroid tablets, hospital care, or advanced treatments. You might also be using your reliever inhaler three or more times a week or have had two or more serious asthma attacks in the past year.

This type of asthma is not the same as ‘difficult asthma’, where symptoms may be affected by other factors like incorrect inhaler use or unmanaged allergies [3]. Severe asthma is recognised as a disability under the Equality Act 2010 because of its serious, long-term impact on daily life.

If you think you may have severe asthma, it’s important to speak to your GP or asthma nurse. They can refer you for further tests or specialist care to help find the right treatment plan for you.

Understanding what is classified as a disability in the UK

Equality Act 2010

Under the Equality Act 2010, you are considered to have a disability if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal daily activities. This legislation is designed to protect people from discrimination in areas such as employment, education and access to services [1]. It applies in England, Scotland, and Wales, but not in Northern Ireland, which has separate equality laws.

The Act also covers progressive conditions such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. These are considered disabilities from the point at which they begin to affect your ability to do daily activities, even if the symptoms are currently mild. Some recurring or fluctuating conditions, such as arthritis or certain mental health conditions, may also be covered, depending on their severity and impact.

Substantial and Long-term conditions

In the UK, a condition is classed as a disability under the Equality Act 2010 if it has a “substantial and long-term negative effect” on your ability to carry out normal daily activities.

A substantial effect means the impact on your daily life is more than minor. For example, it might take you much longer than usual to get dressed, prepare a meal, or walk short distances. A condition is considered long-term if it has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months [1].

Recording if you have a disability when applying for public appointments as an asthma sufferer

When applying for public appointments in the UK, you may be asked to indicate whether you have a disability. If you have asthma, it’s important to consider how your condition affects your day-to-day life without any treatment or support [4].

If your asthma prevents you from carrying out normal daily activities without medication, you may meet the legal definition of a disability under the Equality Act 2010. This includes tasks like having a conversation, using the phone, or interacting with others at work.

You should consider whether your condition has a substantial impact and whether it is long-term (has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months). If this applies to you, it is necessary to record that you have a disability on the application form.

Final Thoughts

Asthma is not automatically classed as a disability in the UK, but it can be if it has a substantial and long-term impact on your daily life. This is especially true for people with severe asthma, where symptoms are harder to manage and may require specialist treatment. Understanding how disability is defined under the Equality Act 2010 can help you identify whether your asthma qualifies and what rights and support you may be entitled to. If you're applying for a public appointment or seeking workplace support, it's important to think about how your asthma affects you without treatment. If your condition meets the legal definition, you should record it as a disability to ensure fair treatment and access to appropriate adjustments.

Sources

[1] Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010 - GOV.UK

[2] What is severe asthma? - Asthma and Lung UK

[3] Asthma - Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland

[4] Recording whether or not you have a disability when you apply for a public appointment - GOV.UK