Many of the 13 million pensioners in the UK may be unaware that they could qualify for additional tax-free benefits, potentially boosting their annual income to more than £18,500. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) are not means-tested and will be worth either £3,988 or £5,959 this year.
Understanding the Potential Income Boost
The full New State Pension is currently valued at £12,547, while the maximum Basic State Pension stands at £9,614. This means that anyone over 66 living with a long-term illness, disability, or health condition could potentially pocket up to £18,506 a year, albeit through separate payments. For those pensioners on a lower income, they may also qualify for Pension Credit, which could provide an additional £4,300 in financial support this year.
Attendance Allowance and PADP
Attendance Allowance currently helps more than 1.7 million older people across England and Wales, while 175,750 in Scotland are receiving extra support through PADP. People over State Pension age claiming Attendance Allowance or PADP will receive either £76.70 (lower rate) or £114.60 (higher rate) each week. As the benefit is usually paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £306.80 or £458.40 every payment period - some £5,959.20 over the 2026/27 financial year.
Who Can Claim?
You should apply for Attendance Allowance or PADP if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night - even if you don't currently get that help. This might include 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, or help to stay safe. You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain, or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on.
Attendance Allowance and PADP are not just for people with a physical disability or illness. You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have a mental health condition, learning difficulties, or a sensory condition such as being deaf or visually impaired. These benefits are not means-tested, so it doesn't matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings - there's no limit. They are also tax-free, and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap, so you won't have money taken away from any other benefits you're already claiming. You can also claim if you're still working and earning money.
How to Make a Claim
You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. It might seem daunting at first, but help is available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age. Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website. To claim Pension Age Disability Payment, visit MYGOV.SCOT.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit currently supports 1.4 million people, including 125,000 living in Scotland. It tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £238.00 a week for single pensioners or £363.25 for couples. It is worth on average £4,300 this year. If you are a single person on the New State Pension with a total weekly income below £238.00, or part of a couple with a combined weekly income of less than £363.25, you may be eligible for Pension Credit. An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock access to other financial support, including Council Tax discounts and help with heating bills this winter through the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Mixed Age Older Couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law changed so a 'mixed age couple' - where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it - are considered to be a 'working age' couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.
Other Help if You Get Pension Credit
If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in, Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property, Council Tax discount, a free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over, help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments, help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, and a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house.
Quickest Way to Check Eligibility for Pension Credit
Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Expert help and advice is also available from Independent Age, Income Max, Citizens Advice, and Age UK. More details about claiming Pension Credit can be found on GOV.UK.
