The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that Attendance Allowance, a non-means-tested benefit for people aged 66 and above with disabilities or serious health conditions requiring regular care, will rise by 3.5% from April 2027.
The increase is part of the DWP's annual review, which also confirmed that working-age and disability benefits would rise by 3.5%, effective from April 12, 2027.
New Attendance Allowance rates
Attendance Allowance currently offers two rates of payment: £76.70 or £114.60 a week, depending on the level of help needed. This equates to an extra £3,988.40 or £5,959.20 annually.
Once the 3.5% increase is applied, the new rates will be £79.38 a week (£4,127.76 a year) or £118.61 a week (£6,167.72 a year). The payment helps with extra costs for those who are disabled or have a severe health condition that requires someone to look after them.
State pension and other benefits
Pat McFadden, Work and Pensions Secretary of State, said in a statement to Parliament: "The new rates will apply in the tax year 2027-28 and will mainly come into effect from 12 April 2027. I am pleased to announce that the basic and full rate of the new state pensions will be increased by 3.9%, in line with the increase in average weekly earnings in the year to May-July 2026."
"This delivers on our triple lock commitment throughout this Parliament to increase these rates in line with the highest of growth in prices, growth in earnings or 2.5%," he added. "From April, the full annual rate of the new state pension will increase by around £490. The full annual rate of the basic state pension will increase by around £375."
The standard minimum guarantee in pension credit will also increase by 3.9%, rising to £247.30 a week for a single pensioner and £377.40 a week for a couple, ensuring the incomes of the poorest pensioners are protected.
Other state pension and benefit rates covered by the statutory review will increase by 3.5%, in line with the Consumer Price Index in the year to September 2026. This includes most working-age benefits, benefits for people below state pension age, disability benefits, statutory payments such as sick pay and maternity pay, and additional state pension. The pension credit savings credit maximum amount will also rise by 3.5%.
Take-up concerns
Earlier this year, it was reported that close to two million people in the UK claim Attendance Allowance. However, figures from the beginning of 2026 suggested that as many as 1.1 million eligible people could be missing out on the benefit.
