State pensioners with certain health conditions can get up to £5,959.20 per year under Andy Burnham’s government with a single claim to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The money comes from Attendance Allowance, which helps people of State Pension age or older with extra costs if they have a physical or mental disability, or a health condition that requires a certain level of care.
The benefit is paid at two rates depending on the level of care needed. At the start of the new tax year in April, both rates increased by 3.8%, based on the September 2026 CPI inflation rate.
Rates and eligibility
The lower rate is £76.70 per week, worth up to £3,988.40 annually. The higher rate is £114.60 per week, worth up to £5,959.20 per year. The exact amount depends on the level of care required.
Attendance Allowance is available to people of State Pension age in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Those in Scotland should apply for Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), which is paid at the same rates.
The lower rate is for those who need frequent help or constant supervision during the day or at night. The higher rate is for those who need help or supervision throughout the day and night, or if a medical professional has said a person is nearing the end of life.
To be eligible, you must have reached State Pension age and have a physical or mental disability or health condition severe enough to need help caring for yourself or supervision for safety, and have needed that help for at least six months.
Qualifying conditions
The DWP does not have a definitive list of qualifying conditions but records 56 main disabling conditions on its computer system. Having one of these does not guarantee payment but indicates the type of conditions supported. Examples include arthritis, heart disease, respiratory disorders, dementia, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and many others.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham inherits the current Attendance Allowance system from his predecessors. He has vowed to lead a “cost of living government,” so an overhaul is unlikely in the near term. Any changes would not be announced until the Autumn Budget delivered by Chancellor John Healey in late October or November, and would likely take effect from April 6, 2027.
