Nearly 1.7 million people over State Pension age across England and Wales are receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance, according to latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for the end of November 2025. Over 185,800 people in Scotland are now claiming the new devolved benefit, Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP).
Payment amounts and eligibility
Both payments are not means-tested, tax-free and worth either £76.70 or £114.60 each week. As benefits are typically paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £306.80 or £458.40 per payment period. Attendance Allowance and PADP are designed to help older people with additional daily living costs due to a health condition or disability, helping them stay independent at home longer. There is no mobility component attached to either benefit.
Reporting a change of circumstances
For those whose condition has declined or who have developed further health issues since their award began, contacting the DWP or Social Security Scotland to report a change of circumstances may lead to higher payments, especially if they are on the lower rate. DWP guidance states that if circumstances change, the amount from Attendance Allowance may go up or down. For PADP claimants, changes can be reported by calling 0800 182 2222.
Those on the lower rate of £37.90 per week could see payments increase by £36.50 to the higher rate of £114.60, with monthly payments rising by £151.60 from £306.80 to £451.80.
Reasons to contact DWP for Attendance Allowance
The DWP lists several reasons to report a change: level of help needed or condition changes, going into hospital or a care home, a medical professional saying you might have 12 months or less to live, leaving the country for more than 4 weeks, going into prison, changing name/address/bank details, wanting to stop receiving benefit, doctor's details changing, or immigration status changing if not a British citizen.
Consider contacting the DWP if you feel you need more help for a disability or illness, including additional help or supervision throughout the day or night, even if you do not currently get that help. This could include help with personal care (dressing, eating, bathing) or help to stay safe. Also consider reporting if you have more difficulties completing personal tasks, or if you have a mental health condition, learning difficulties, or a sensory condition (deaf or blind).
The Attendance Allowance helpline is 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. Full details are on GOV.UK.
Common conditions and health issues
The most common condition claimed on Attendance Allowance is arthritis, with some 512,300 people receiving support for it. Nearly 50 conditions are supported, including spondylosis, back pain, diseases of muscles/bones/joints, trauma to limbs, blindness, deafness, heart disease, chest disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis, cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy, neurological diseases, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, motor neurone disease, chronic pain syndromes, diabetes, metabolic disease, traumatic paraplegia/tetraplegia, learning difficulties, psychosis, psychoneurosis, personality disorder, dementia, behavioural disorder, alcohol and drug abuse, renal disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, blood disorders, haemophilia, multi-system disorders, skin disease, malignant disease, severe mental impairment, double amputee, deaf/blind, haemodialysis, frailty, total parenteral nutrition, AIDS, and terminal illness.
How much you could get
You could receive £76.70 a week if you need help during the day or at night, or £114.60 if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks. You can spend the money however you like, such as on taxis, bills, or a cleaner or gardener.
Impact on other benefits
Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so it doesn't matter what other money or savings you have. It is tax-free and exempt from the Benefit Cap. It does not affect your State Pension, and you can claim it even if you are still working. Other benefits may increase if you get Attendance Allowance, including extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit reduction, and Council Tax reduction.
Pension Age Disability Payment in Scotland
PADP has replaced Attendance Allowance for all new and existing claimants with a Scottish postcode. You can apply if you have reached State Pension age and had care needs during the day or night for 6 months or more due to a disability or health condition. You can still apply if you have not had care needs for 6 months or more (award begins 6 months from when care needs started), if you are waiting for a diagnosis, or if you have a terminal illness (fast-track process). You cannot get both PADP and Attendance Allowance at the same time.
