More than half a million older people across Great Britain are receiving Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment for arthritis-related conditions, with successful claimants receiving up to £458.40 every four weeks.
Record numbers claiming for arthritis
Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there are now 503,389 people receiving Attendance Allowance support for arthritis, making it the most-claimed health condition by people over State Pension age. Arthritis accounts for more than one-third (35%) of all 1.7 million claimants on Attendance Allowance.
Successful claimants receive either £76.70 (lower rate) or £114.60 (higher rate) a week. As payments are issued every four weeks, this amounts to either £306.80 or £458.40 per pay period. Attendance Allowance is tax-free and not affected by savings or income.
Scotland's new payment system
In Scotland, new claims for Attendance Allowance have been replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). Both benefits follow similar eligibility criteria and provide the same payment rates.
At the end of April, there were 1,694,012 older people claiming Attendance Allowance across England and Wales. Data from Social Security Scotland shows 185,895 pensioners in Scotland were in receipt of Pension Age Disability Payment.
Eligibility and how to claim
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes it hard to look after yourself. It does not cover mobility needs. You do not need to have someone caring for you to make a claim.
You should apply if you need help with personal care, such as getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, or going to the toilet. Help to stay safe is also covered. You should also apply if personal tasks take a long time, cause pain, or you need physical help.
You can claim even if you have savings and other income, as it is not means-tested. It won't affect your State Pension, and you can claim while still working. Other benefits might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, including Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction.
To make a claim, you need to complete a long claim form. Help is available from your nearest Citizens Advice. Full details are on the GOV.UK website. For Pension Age Disability Payment, applications are made through mygov.scot.
You cannot get Attendance Allowance if you already get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for care. If you are approaching State Pension age, you might be better off claiming PIP straight away, as you may get more money.
