Attendance Allowance simplified to help pensioners claim up to £441 each month
Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible?
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there are now nearly 1.7 million older people receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance, including 150,000 living in Scotland. The payment is worth either £73.90 or £110.40 each week and is designed to help people of State Pension age with daily living expenses - it does not cover mobility needs.
The benefit supports people with a disability, long-term illness and mental or physical health issues. The list of conditions supported through Attendance Allowance is long, more than 50, 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.
To make it easier for people over State Pension age, or their family members or friends, to decide whether to make a claim for the benefit, we have compiled a list of 22 key facts that sum up Attendance Allowance. Full details about Attendance Allowance can be found on GOV.UK here.
Charities including Independent Age and Age UK can also help with claims and answer any questions over the phone or online via email or webchat.
Attendance Allowance in Scotland
It's important for people over 66 in Scotland to be aware that they can no longer make a new claim for Attendance Allowance and must claim a new devolved payment instead.
Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) provides the same financial support as Attendance Allowance, but is administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland - full details here.
22 key facts about Attendance Allowance
The benefit is administered by the UK Government and delivered by the DWP.
There are 1,672,590 people over State Pension age claiming Attendance Allowance.
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you.
The benefit could help older people stay independent in their own home longer.
It's paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.
You could get £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) a week to help with personal support.
The lower rate of £73.90 is awarded if you need frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night.
The higher rate of £110.40 is awarded if you need help or supervision throughout both day and night, or a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live.
Payments are made every four weeks, which means there are 13 payments over the course of a year.
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit.
Savings and income do not affect a claim as the benefit is not means-tested.
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment are qualifying benefits for the DWP annual £10 Christmas Bonus.
There is no mobility element attached to Attendance Allowance.
If you are approaching State Pension age, apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and you should get a 10-year award, up to £749.80 each month and may be eligible for the mobility component
You cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you already get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), PIP or ADP.
You could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you get Attendance Allowance.
You cannot usually get Attendance Allowance if you live in a care home and your care is paid for by your local authority. However, you can still claim Attendance Allowance if you pay for all your care home costs yourself.
You do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim.
You will only need to attend an assessment to check your eligibility if it's unclear how your illness or disability affects you.
If you do need an assessment you will get a letter saying why and where you must go. During the assessment, a medical professional will need to examine you.
You might still be able to get Attendance Allowance if you're a UK national and you live in or move to the EU, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
All existing claims for Attendance Allowance will be replaced in Scotland by Pension Age Disability Payment by the end of 2025.
Below is everything you need to know about Attendance Allowance including the 10 most-claimed for conditions, eligibility and how to make a claim.
10 most-claimed conditions supported by Attendance Allowance
The 10 conditions listed below are supporting 1,252,041 (75%) of the 1.7m total number of people receiving Attendance Allowance payments. Medical conditions are sourced from information recorded on the DWP's Attendance Allowance computer system.
It's important to note that this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance, 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.
Arthritis
483,376
Dementia
173,170
Heart Disease
124,528
Respiratory Conditions
104,098
Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
86,319
Cerebrovascular Disease
74,716
Back Pain
74,804
Visual Disorders and Diseases
50,993
Parkinson's
44,440
Neurological Conditions
35,597
Below is everything you need to know about Attendance Allowance including the main health conditions being claimed, eligibility and how to make a claim.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes it hard for you to look after yourself - it does not cover mobility needs. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim.
Who can claim?
You should apply for Attendance Allowance 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 isn't 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 on Attendance Allowance?
You could receive either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week. This amounts to either £296.60 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 even if I have savings and other income?
Yes. Attendance Allowance isn't 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. it is 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 affect my State Pension?
No, it won't affect your State Pension and you can even claim it if you're still working and earning money.
How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, 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 when you reach State Pension age, you might be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away - you may be able to get more money.
Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?
You cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you have a Scottish postcode, you need to claim PADP from Social Security Scotland - full details here.
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.
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