Pensioners with specific health conditions may be eligible for Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment, worth up to £114.60 per week. These benefits help individuals over State Pension age who require assistance with personal care due to illness or disability.
Latest Figures on Attendance Allowance
According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), as of August 2025, over 1.7 million older people were receiving Attendance Allowance. Social Security Scotland data shows more than 175,000 people aged 66 and over are receiving Pension Age Disability Payment. Both benefits offer either £76.70 or £114.60 weekly, typically paid every four weeks, resulting in payments of £306.80 or £458.40 per period. The amount depends on the level of care required.
DWP guidance states that individuals needing frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night, receive the lower rate of £76.70. Those requiring help or supervision throughout both day and night, or nearing the end of life as certified by a medical professional, receive the higher rate of £114.60.
How Attendance Allowance Helps
This benefit is designed to cover extra daily living costs due to a condition, helping pensioners maintain independence at home. The latest data shows 36% of claimants (563,746 people) receive awards of five years or more. The most common condition is arthritis, supporting 512,300 people across Great Britain, with 47% receiving long-term awards.
Below are the 48 health conditions and the percentage of claimants receiving five-year or longer awards, as of August 2025:
- 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%
- Parkinson's Disease - 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%
What Is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough to make self-care difficult. It does not cover mobility needs. You do not need a caregiver to claim.
Who Can Claim?
You should apply if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night, even if you do not currently receive it. This includes help with personal care (dressing, eating, bathing, toileting) or staying safe. It also applies if personal tasks take a long time, cause pain, or require physical assistance.
Attendance Allowance is not just for physical conditions. You can also claim if you have a mental health condition, learning difficulties, or a sensory condition (deaf or visually impaired).
Pensioners in Scotland
Those aged 66 and over should claim Pension Age Disability Payment instead, administered by Social Security Scotland. Details are available on mygov.scot.
How Much Could You Get?
You can receive either £76.70 (lower rate) or £114.60 (higher rate) per week. The money can be spent as you wish, helping with taxis, bills, or hiring a cleaner or gardener.
Can You Claim with Savings or Other Income?
Yes. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so savings, other income, or employment do not affect eligibility. It is tax-free and exempt from the Benefit Cap.
Will It Affect Your State Pension?
No. It does not affect your State Pension, and you can claim even if you are still working.
How Does It Affect Other Benefits?
Receiving Attendance Allowance may increase other benefits, including Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction.
How to Apply
You must complete a claim form. Help is available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age. Request the form by post or phone via GOV.UK.
If You Are Approaching State Pension Age
Consider claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead, as it may provide more money.
Who Cannot Claim?
You cannot claim if you live in Scotland (apply for Pension Age Disability Payment) or if you already receive PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for care. If you apply while on DLA, the DWP will reassess your DLA award.
For more information, visit the GOV.UK website.
