State pensioners with nine common health conditions can get an extra weekly cash boost of up to £76.70 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
People of State Pension age who have a health condition meaning they require a certain level of care can get payments to help with living costs by claiming the DWP benefit Attendance Allowance. The benefit is available to eligible pension-age people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while in Scotland, you can get Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) instead, which is paid at the same rate.
Both Attendance Allowance and PADP are paid at two different rates - a higher and lower amount based on the level of care that you need. The lower amount is for people who require help or supervision during the day or supervision at night, and is paid at a rate of £76.70 per week. The higher amount is for those who need help or supervision throughout both the day and night, or if a medical professional has said you're nearing the end of life, and is paid at a rate of £114.60 per week. This works out to £3,988.40 per year or £5,959.20 per year, respectively.
Which conditions can qualify
While there isn't a definitive list of health conditions that qualify for Attendance Allowance, the DWP does have a list of the main disabling conditions recorded on its Disability Living Allowance computer system, which include the following nine common health conditions. If you have one of these, you may be eligible to qualify for a weekly payment of up to £76.70 from the DWP, but it's important to note that this is not a checklist for qualifying and is simply an overview of the type of common conditions that are being supported.
Arthritis
Arthritis causes pain, swelling and stiffness in one or more joints which can make movement difficult. Common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
Back pain
Back pain, particularly in the lower back, is very common and can sometimes be caused by ankylosing spondylitis, which is a type of arthritis. If it affects your ability to do day-to-day activities, it could potentially entitle you to Attendance Allowance.
Other supported conditions
Heart disease
There are many different types of heart disease, such as coronary artery disease, aortic disease, stroke and peripheral arterial disease, which may entitle you to the benefit.
Asthma
Asthma is a common life-long condition that affects your breathing and can cause symptoms like wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Symptoms can be mild or severe and are usually treated with an inhaler, but some people may require other treatment.
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease is a progressive brain disorder that damages nerve cells over many years and can lead to problems with movement, balance and coordination. The main symptoms include tremors, slow movement, and stiff and inflexible muscles.
