Pensioners with one of 10 common health conditions could receive £458 per month from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The tax-free benefit is designed to help pensioners with extra costs so they can live independently for longer if they have a disability or health condition severe enough to need help with daily tasks.
Two rates of Attendance Allowance
People receive two different rates of Attendance Allowance pay depending on the level of care that they need. Those who require help during the day or at night could receive £76.70 a week, but if they need help during both the day and at night, or a medical professional has said they are nearing the end of life, they may be eligible for £114.60 a week, totalling £458.40 a month.
Attendance Allowance is paid out to around 1.7 million people, with roughly two-thirds of claims made against 10 common health conditions. If pensioners suffer from any of the 10 conditions listed below, and it seriously impacts their ability to live an independent life, they may be eligible, though everybody is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the DWP.
Most common claimant conditions
Arthritis is by far the most common reason for people to claim the benefit, with more than half a million people listed under figures for November 2025, across Scotland, England and Wales. Dementia and heart disease came next, followed by respiratory conditions, with more than 100,000 people claiming for each health condition.
- Arthritis - 503,389
- Dementia - 173,231
- Heart Disease - 127,756
- Respiratory Conditions - 107,181
- Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints - 88,973
- Back Pain - 78,430
- Cerebrovascular Disease - 72,237
- Visual Disorders and Diseases - 49,546
- Parkinson’s - 45,129
- Neurological Conditions - 38,228
Total: 1,284,100
The figures represent the 10 most claimed conditions for Attendance Allowance in November 2025 across Scotland, England and Wales. This is not a checklist, but rather to help people understand what conditions are being supported.
How to claim
You do not need to have someone caring for you to claim, and the benefit is not means-tested. The money can be used to help you stay in your own home longer or to cover bills. To find out whether you may be eligible, you can visit the government website.
