Pensioners with a health condition since start of this year could be due up to £4441 each month
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of August 2024, nearly 1.7 million older people were claiming Attendance Allowance, including 150,000 living in Scotland.
Guidance on GOV.UK explains that if your condition is 'severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else's safety' and if you have needed that help for at least six months you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance.
People over State Pension age in Scotland can no longer make a new claim for Attendance Allowance and need to claim a devolved benefit instead. Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) follows similar eligibility rules and payment guidance as Attendance Allowance, but is administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland - full details here.
The tax-free benefits are not means-tested and worth either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week during the 2025/26 financial year. Attendance Allowance and PADP are usually paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period - some £5,740.80 during the 2025/26 financial year.
How much someone receives depends on the level of support needed and the benefit is designed to help people of State Pension age with daily living expenses which can also help them stay independent in their own home for longer. It's important to be aware there is no mobility component attached to Attendance Allowance or PADP.
Support for people with health conditions
The benefit supports people with a disability, long-term illness and mental or physical health issues.
The list of conditions supported through Attendance Allowance and PADP is long, but the most common disabling condition - an umbrella term used by the DWP - is arthritis, which provides support for 483,376 people across Great Britain, including 44,455 in Scotland.
It's important to note that this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance or PADP, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported.
However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance on the GOV.UK website here.
The figures below show the percentage of people claiming for health issues related to these 48 conditions:
Arthritis - 47%
Spondylosis - 48%
Back Pain - Other / Precise Diagnosis not Specified - 43%
Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints - 40%
Trauma to Limbs - 36%
Visual Disorders and Diseases - 41%
Hearing Disorders - 42%
Heart Disease - 50%
Respiratory Disorders and Diseases - 33%
Asthma - 47%
Cystic Fibrosis - 27%
Cerebrovascular Disease - 42%
Peripheral vascular Disease - 41%
Epilepsy - 44%
Neurological Diseases - 50%
Multiple Sclerosis - 52%
Parkinsons - 30%
Motor Neurone Disease - 32%
Chronic Pain Syndromes - 39%
Diabetes Mellitus - 39%
Metabolic Disease - 38%
Traumatic Paraplegia - 54%
Major Trauma Other than Traumatic/Paraplegia - 45%
Learning Difficulties - 48%
Psychosis - 44%
Psychoneurosis - 38%
Personality Disorder - 48%
Dementia - 20%
Behavioral Disorder - 28%
Alcohol and Drug Abuse - 37%
Hyperkinetic Syndrome - 27%
Renal Disorders - 26%
Inflammatory Bowel Disease - 42%
Bowel and Stomach Disease - 37%
Blood Disorders - 39%
Haemophilia - 39%
Multi System Disorders - 41%
Multiple Allergy Syndrome - 44%
Skin Disease - 37%
Malignant Disease - 35%
Haemodialysis - 22%
Frailty - 100%
AIDS - 47%
Coronavirus covid-19 - 1%
Viral disease - precise diagnosis not specified - 13%
Tuberculosis - 53%
Bacterial disease - precise diagnosis not specified - 43%
Cognitive disorder (other) - 22%
It's important to note there are special rules for people with a terminal illness, to help speed up their application - full details on GOV.UK here.
Below is everything you need to know about Attendance Allowance and PADP, including the main health conditions being claimed, eligibility and how to make a claim.
Full details on Pension Age Disability Payment can be found on MYGOV.SCOT here.
Who can claim Attendance Allowance or PADP?
You should apply for Attendance Allowance or PADP if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you don't currently get that help.
This might include:
Help with your personal care - for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet
Help to stay safe
You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance and PADP are not just for people with a physical disability or illness.
You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:
a mental health condition
learning difficulties
a sensory condition - if you are deaf or visually impaired
How much could I get?
You could receive either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week. This amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period.
You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer.
This might include:
paying for taxis
helping towards bills
paying for a cleaner or gardener
Can I claim Attendance Allowance or PADP even if I have savings and other income?
Yes. Both benefits are not means-tested so it doesn't matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings either - there's no limit. Both benefits are also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won't have money taken away from any other benefits.
Will Attendance Allowance or PADP affect my State Pension?
No, they won't affect your State Pension and you can even claim if you're still working and earning money.
How does Attendance Allowance or PADP affect other benefits?
The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance or PADP, these include:
Extra Pension Credit
Housing Benefit Reduction
Council Tax Reduction
How do I make a claim?
You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. It might seem daunting at first but help is available from your nearest Citizens Advice, so don't let the form put you off applying.
If you'd prefer to do it yourself you can follow the Citizens Advice guide on how to fill in your claim form here. Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age?
If you are thinking about applying for Attendance Allowance or PADP when you reach State Pension age, you might be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment straight away - you may be able to get more money.
Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?
Older people living in Scotland can no longer claim Attendance Allowance and need to claim Pension Age Disability Payment instead.
You won't be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to pay for your care. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while getting DLA, the DWP will usually reassess your DLA award instead.
You can renew your PIP or DLA when the existing award ends as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
Find out more about Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Ten benefits worth £12k pensioners can claim this month including free TV licence and council tax – are you missing out?
PENSIONERS can get access to 10 benefits and freebies that could save them a whopping £12,700 a year. They include everything from free TV licences and NHS prescriptions to benefits such as Pension Credit. 1 The Sun has put together a list all the things you could claim and how much you can save... Pension Credit - £3,900 a year This benefit is available for pensioners on lower earnings. Pension Credit becomes available whenever you are able to start claiming your pension. The amount you can get depends on how much you've earned and your income. But the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) says the average amount given out is a huge £3,900 a year. Free TV licence - save £174.50 Everyone who watches live TV is expected to pay the licence fee annually. It currently comes to £174.50 a year. However, if you're over the age of 75 and claim Pension Credit, you won't have to pay. You can also get a discount if you're visually impaired. How to Qualify for Free or Discounted Council Tax! Free prescriptions and eye tests - save £139.50 You won't need to be claiming Pension Credit to get free NHS prescriptions. Anyone over the age of 60 in England, Scotland or Wales can get their prescriptions for free. If you're buying your prescription regularly and using an annual prepayment certificate this can cost up to £114.50 - so you'll make a huge saving by getting your prescription for free. Over-60s are also entitled to a free eye test every two years. This can save you £25 each time. All you need to do is book your appointment as normal and inform members of staff that you are eligible for a free test. Discounted broadband - save £142.92 People who claim Pension Credit are often eligible for cheaper broadband. The cheapest plans available to pensioners cost just £14.99 a month, compared to the average cost of £26.90. Over a year, this means you could save a staggering £142.92. Winter Fuel Payment - up to £300 Millions of pensioners are set to get a Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300 this year. The payment is being made to those with an income of or below £35,000 this winter. A person needs to have reached state pension age by September 21 to be eligible for a payment. People aged up to 80 will receive a payment worth £200 while those aged 81 or over will get £300. Attendance Allowance - up to £5,741 a year Attendance Allowance is a benefit paid out to people over state pension age who need someone to help look after them. To qualify for the benefit you must have a disability or illness that requires you to be looked after, and you must have needed help for at least six months. It's paid at two different rates depending on how much help you need. You get a lower rate of £73.90 a week, or £3,843 a year, if you need help either in the day or at night. The higher rate of £110.40 a week, or £5,741 a year, is if you need help at both day and night. The payment is not affected by how much your income is. Council tax reduction - save £2,171 Some pensioners can claim a discount on their council tax bills. But the amount of reduction you can get will depend on factors like your age, income, savings and the benefits you receive. You can usually claim for a council tax reduction if you receive benefits like Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments and Carer's Allowance. Plus, those that receive the Guarantee part of Pension Credit may be exempt from paying council tax entirely. If you receive Pension Credit, but not the Guarantee part, you may still be able to reduce your bill if you're on a low income and have less that £16,000 in savings. The average Band D Council Tax set by local authorities in England currently stands at £2,171 - so you could end up saving a huge amount. Free passports - save £94.50 Passports are offered for free by the Home Office to anyone born before September 2, 1929. That means most people who are eligible for the discount are in their late 90s. But those who are can save £94.50. Cold Weather Payment - £25 Older people receiving Pension Credit can get Cold Weather Payments when temperatures drop. You'll get if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days. You will get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather. If you're eligible you'll get the payments automatically. Discounted days out - save £37 Pensioners are entitled to special discounts on certain days out. The National Trust and English Heritage both offer discounts for seniors. If you've been a National Trust member for at least three consecutive years and you're aged 60 or over, this can get you 25% off your subscription. It means you'll pay £72 rather than £96 a year, saving you £24. People aged 65 or over will pay £69 a year for English Heritage membership, versus £82 for most adults. That would save you £13 a year. You can also save on Interrail passes - which let you travel around Europe - by getting 10% off. Cinemas and museums also offer cheaper tickets too.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
DWP lists 48 conditions that could entitle you to up to £110 weekly
The DWP Attendance Allowance is designed for those of State Pension age who are dealing with long-term physical or mental health issues or disabilities Over a million people are receiving extra financial support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through Attendance Allowance. This benefit, which is either £73.90 or £110.40 per week, is intended for those of State Pension age who are grappling with long-term physical or mental health problems or disabilities. To qualify, Brits generally need to have a condition severe enough to require care or supervision from another person and must have been receiving this help for at least six months. Although it may seem straightforward, P olicy in Practice estimates that as many as 1.1 million eligible people are not receiving this support. In an attempt to simplify this process for those over State Pension age, we've put together a list of more than 40 health conditions typically covered by Attendance Allowance. The most commonly claimed disabling condition, as categorised by the DWP, is arthritis, which reportedly supports 460,993 people. The Mirror's list of conditions is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance but rather a guide to help people understand what is and isn't supported. If you need additional help during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, consult the official eligibility guidance on GOV. UK. Health issues and disabilities that may qualify for Attendance Allowance In 2024, the Daily Record has outlined the conditions under which you might qualify for claiming Attendance Allowance: AIDS Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia Peripheral vascular Disease Psychosis Spondylosis Metabolic Disease Parkinsons Disease Multiple Sclerosis Blood Disorders Learning Difficulties Malignant Disease Dementia Motor Neurone Disease Deaf/Blind Cerebrovascular Disease Multiple Allergy Syndrome Respiratory Disorders and Diseases Back Pain Psychoneurosis Hyperkinetic Syndrome Severely Mentally impaired Neurological Diseases Bowel and Stomach Disease Behavioural Disorder Cystic Fibrosis Heart Disease Diabetes Mellitus Inflammatory Bowel Disease Infectious diseases: Viral disease - Coronavirus covid-19 Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia Skin Disease Chronic Pain Syndromes Arthritis Personality Disorder Trauma to Limbs Asthma Hearing Disorders Multi System Disorders Visual Disorders and Diseases Haemodialysis Renal Disorders Epilepsy Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints Alcohol and Drug Abuse Double Amputee Total Parenteral Nutrition Frailty Haemophilia Can Attendance Allowance impact your State Pension? No, it won't affect your State Pension, and you can still claim it even if you're working and earning an income. How does Attendance Allowance influence other benefits? Your other benefits might increase if you receive Attendance Allowance, these include: Who is ineligible for Attendance Allowance? If you're already receiving PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to cover your care costs, you won't be eligible for Attendance Allowance. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while on DLA, the DWP will typically reassess your DLA award instead. You can renew your PIP or DLA when the current award expires, provided you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful, you can then apply for Attendance Allowance. How to submit a claim To apply for Attendance Allowance, you'll need to fill out a comprehensive claim form. While this might seem intimidating at first, support is available from your local Citizens Advice, so don't let the form deter you from applying. If you prefer to handle the process yourself, follow the Citizens Advice guide to complete your claim form here. Detailed instructions on how to obtain the application form by post or phone are available on the website here.
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- North Wales Live
DWP: The conditions that qualify for extended PIP awards
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides Personal Independence Payments (PIP) to those in need of disability benefits, but successful claimants only receive PIP for a specific period. This duration can vary from nine months to 10 years. Most PIP awards are for two years or less, with longer awards referred to as 'ongoing'. When this set period concludes, claimants must undergo another review to assess any changes in their circumstances, conditions, and the impact of their disability. The outcome of this review determines their continued eligibility for the benefit and whether their rate should be increased or decreased. The DWP has revealed which categories of conditions typically receive longer awards initially and during reviews. Between 2020 and 2025, 17% of people with respiratory diseases, including lung transplants, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and pulmonary embolus, received ongoing awards at their first application. During the same period, 13% of people with neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, head injuries, and hydrocephalus, received ongoing awards at their first application. Furthermore, 36% of people with neurological conditions transitioning from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to PIP secured ongoing awards, reports Birmingham Live. These include conditions such as osteoarthritis, chronic pain syndromes and complications from fractures. The data suggested: "DLA reassessment claimants are more likely to receive ongoing awards than new claimants, across all disabling conditions." 40% of claimants were for psychiatric disorders, ranging from substance abuse to anxiety and dementia, while respiratory diseases account for just 4%.
