Pensioners with long-term health conditions could receive up to £458.40 every four weeks through Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). Both benefits provide either £76.70 or £114.60 per week, typically paid every four weeks, and are designed to help people over State Pension age who need help with personal care due to illness or disability.
Who is receiving the benefit?
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures show that at the end of March this year, more than 1.7 million older people were receiving Attendance Allowance. Separately, Social Security Scotland data indicates 185,895 people aged over 66 are receiving Pension Age Disability Payment, the devolved benefit.
Both payments are made in arrears. The amount received depends on the level of support needed, and there is no mobility component attached to Attendance Allowance.
Most claimed conditions
The list of conditions supported by Attendance Allowance and PADP includes more than 40 conditions. The most common disabling condition, an umbrella term used by the DWP, is arthritis, which supports 512,275 people across England and Wales.
The 10 most claimed conditions, supporting 1.3 million (75%) of the 1.7 million total Attendance Allowance claimants, are:
- Arthritis – 512,275
- Dementia – 171,066
- Heart Disease – 129,336
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases – 108,670
- Disease of the Muscles, Bones or Joints – 89,457
- Back Pain – 79,685
- Cerebrovascular Disease – 71,860
- Malignant Disease – 62,284
- Visual Disorders and Diseases – 49,065
- Parkinson's Disease – 45,037
Total: 1,318,430
These figures are for Attendance Allowance in March 2026 and include claimants from Scotland, England and Wales.
Who should claim?
People with a disability or illness who need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night should apply, even if they do not currently receive that help. This includes help with personal care such as getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and going to the toilet, as well as help to stay safe.
Applications are also open to those who need help or supervision due to a mental health condition, learning difficulties, or a sensory condition such as being deaf or visually impaired. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so savings and other income do not affect eligibility, and it is tax-free and exempt from the Benefit Cap.
Claiming Attendance Allowance does not affect State Pension, and people can claim even if they are still working. It may increase other benefits such as Extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit Reduction, and Council Tax Reduction.
In Scotland, people aged 66 and over should claim Pension Age Disability Payment, administered by Social Security Scotland. PADP requires the claimant to have reached State Pension age and had care needs during the day or night for 6 months or more. Those without a diagnosis or with a terminal illness can still apply, with a fast-track process for terminal illness. It is not possible to receive both Attendance Allowance and PADP at the same time.
