Nearly 1.5 million older people in Great Britain are receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance, according to the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) up to the end of May 2023.
Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over state pension age, which is currently 66, who need help with personal care or supervision due to a disability, long-term illness, or mental or physical health condition. The payment is designed to help with daily living expenses and can enable recipients to remain independent in their own homes for longer.
The benefit is paid at two weekly rates: £68.10 for those who need help during the day or at night, and £101.75 for those who need help both day and night, or who are terminally ill. This means eligible pensioners could receive up to £407 each month.
There are over 50 conditions that qualify for Attendance Allowance, the most common being arthritis, which supports 424,831 people across Britain. The top ten conditions collectively account for nearly 1.07 million claims out of the total 1.45 million recipients, though the DWP emphasises that the list is not a checklist but rather an indication of the types of conditions supported.
People who require help with personal care tasks such as dressing, eating, bathing, or staying safe should consider applying. The benefit also covers those with mental health conditions or learning difficulties. Applicants must complete a claim form, and further information is available through the Government website or Citizens Advice.
