More than 1.7 million people over State Pension age now receive Attendance Allowance, worth either £76.70 or £114.60 per week, and new applicants can complete the process online at GOV.UK.
Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show over 1.7 million older people are receiving the additional financial support. Similar figures from Social Security Scotland indicate 186,390 pensioners are claiming Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), the devolved benefit that has replaced all new and existing Attendance Allowance claims for pensioners with a Scottish postcode.
Who can claim and how to apply
Both payments are worth either £76.70 (lower rate) or £114.60 (higher rate) every week and are designed to help people of State Pension age with daily living expenses. Payments are issued every four weeks, meaning each payment period is worth either £306.80 or £458.40.
To apply online you will need your National Insurance number, your address and contact details, details of the disability or health condition you need extra help for, details of your GP surgery or medical centre, and details of your care home, hospital or hospice if you are currently staying in one.
You cannot apply online if you are an appointee or have power of attorney. It is also not possible to apply online using a mobile phone or tablet; a desktop or laptop computer is required. People can also apply by post by printing and submitting the Attendance Allowance claim form on GOV.UK, or by contacting the helpline on 0800 731 0122 to request one.
Conditions supported and eligibility
Both benefits support people with a disability, long-term illness and mental or physical health issues. The list of conditions supported is long, more than 40, but the most common disabling condition - an umbrella term used by the DWP - is arthritis, which provides support for over 512,275 pensioners.
The 10 most-claimed Attendance Allowance health conditions are arthritis, dementia, heart disease, respiratory conditions, disease of the muscles, bones or joints, cerebrovascular disease, back pain, visual disorders and diseases, Parkinson's, and neurological conditions.
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that it makes it hard for you to look after yourself. It does not cover mobility needs, and you do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim.
Payment rates and other benefits
You could receive either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week, amounting to either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period. The money can be spent however you like, for example paying for taxis, helping towards bills, or paying for a cleaner or gardener.
Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so it does not matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings. It is also tax-free and exempt from the Benefit Cap, so money will not be taken away from any other benefits. It does not affect your State Pension, and you can claim it even if you are still working and earning money.
Other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, including Extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit Reduction and Council Tax Reduction. You cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you are over State Pension age and live in Scotland - you need to claim PADP instead. You also cannot get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to pay for your care.
