The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed that nearly 1.7 million elderly people in the UK receive Attendance Allowance. This benefit helps pensioners who have health issues or disabilities that make daily life difficult. It gives extra money to help with personal care needs, with payments up to £434.20 per month. But many who qualify don’t know about it. This guide explains who can claim, how much they can get, and how to apply.
Who Can Claim Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is for people who:
Are of State Pension age (currently 66 or older).
Have a physical or mental health condition that affects daily living.
Need help or supervision with personal tasks, even if they don’t currently get help.
Do not need help with moving around (this benefit doesn’t cover mobility).
You don’t need to have a carer, and your income or savings don’t affect eligibility because this benefit is not means-tested.
Common Health Conditions That Qualify
You might qualify if you have health problems like:
Arthritis (claimed by nearly half a million pensioners)
Back pain
Deafness or vision loss
Mental health issues like anxiety or dementia
Neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease
Chronic illnesses like COPD or heart disease
If your condition makes it hard to dress, wash, eat, move around your home, or stay safe, you may be eligible.
How Much Can You Get?
Attendance Allowance has two payment rates:
Lower Rate (£72.65 per week) — for people who need help during the day OR night.
Higher Rate (£108.55 per week) — for those needing help day AND night, or who are terminally ill.
Payments come every four weeks, so you could receive:
About £290.60 per month at the lower rate.
About £434.20 per month at the higher rate.
You can use this money for anything that helps you live independently, like transport, bills, or home care.
How Attendance Allowance Affects Other Benefits
Getting Attendance Allowance may increase other benefits like Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Reduction. It is tax-free, doesn’t affect your State Pension, and won’t be counted in benefit caps. You can still claim it even if you are working.
How to Apply for Attendance Allowance
To apply:
Get a form from GOV.UK or call 0800 731 0122 to request one.
Fill in details about how your condition affects your life and why you need help.
You can get help from Citizens Advice if the form seems difficult.
Send your completed form by post to the DWP.
Should You Apply for PIP Instead?
If you are close to State Pension age, you might consider applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which can offer higher payments and includes help for mobility problems.
Attendance Allowance provides important financial support for elderly people struggling with health conditions. With nearly 1.7 million people already receiving it, many more may qualify but haven’t applied yet. If you or someone you know needs extra help, applying could cover costs and improve daily life. Visit GOV.UK or contact Citizens Advice to get started on your claim today.
FAQs
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a UK benefit that helps people over State Pension age with extra costs caused by disability or health conditions.
Who can claim Attendance Allowance?
People aged 66 or over who have a physical or mental health condition that affects daily living and need help or supervision.
How much money can I get from Attendance Allowance?
You can get either £72.65 or £108.55 per week, depending on your care needs.
Does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
It can increase other benefits like Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction, but it does not affect your State Pension.
How do I apply for Attendance Allowance?
You can apply by filling out a form from GOV.UK or calling 0800 731 0122, and send it to the DWP.
Should I apply for Attendance Allowance or PIP?
If you are close to State Pension age, Attendance Allowance is for over 66s, while PIP is for people under State Pension age and includes mobility support.
Will this apply 🤔 to working people who have diabetes. People who work at least 60 hours per week 🙄 or more.
I do not understand how the government can do and pay for this, but can not give the poorest pensioners in the UK the winter fuel allowance. This makes no sense to me, a working labour supporter, how and has been for years. I strongly believe that Labour for the first time that I can remember has let the good hard working people of this great nation down. I can not believe where the labour party’s head 🙄 is right now. They like the Torys seem to be making rich people richer and the poor people of this country poorer and I can not think for the life of me why?
Will l be entitled to any other benefits received State Pension this is my only source of income.
Will l be entitled to any other benefits received State Pension this is my only source of income. If so why haven’t l received any other support from the Government
Will l be entitled to any other benefits received State Pension this is my only source of income. If so why haven’t l received any other support from the Government Waiting for a reply that’s why l posted this question Again
Hello Lorraine,
You will get support other than State Pension, for more help you can contact 0800 731 0122. Govt Helpline.
Thank you
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