Nearly 1.7 million people over State Pension age are currently receiving Attendance Allowance, according to the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The benefit is designed to help older people who have a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition that means they need extra support with daily living.
Unlike Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Scotland’s Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), Attendance Allowance is available only to people who have reached State Pension age. Eligibility is based on the level of care or supervision a person needs rather than a specific medical diagnosis.
Attendance Allowance provides financial support to people who need help because of illness or disability. The money does not have to be spent on a carer and can instead be used for equipment, home adaptations, or other costs that help someone remain independent.
The benefit is paid at two weekly rates depending on how much support a person requires.
| Weekly Rate | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|
| £76.70 | About £306.80 |
| £114.60 | About £458.40 |
Conditions
The latest DWP data records the following health conditions on successful Attendance Allowance claims:
- Disease of the Muscles, Bones or Joints
- Learning Difficulties
- Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Hyperkinetic Syndrome
- Haemophilia
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Arthritis
- Back Pain – Other / Precise Diagnosis Not Specified
- Metabolic Disease
- Major Trauma (Other than Traumatic Paraplegia)
- Trauma to Limbs
- AIDS
- Bowel and Stomach Disease
- Frailty
- Personality Disorder
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Traumatic Paraplegia
- Heart Disease
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Spondylosis
- Renal Disorders
- Multiple Allergy Syndrome
- Multi System Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Psychosis
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Parkinson’s
- Visual Disorders and Diseases
- Blood Disorders
- Viral Disease – Precise Diagnosis Not Specified
- Skin Disease
- Epilepsy
- Dementia
- Tuberculosis
- Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Behavioral Disorder
- Cognitive Disorder (Other)
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Haemodialysis
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Psychoneurosis
- Hearing Disorders
- Neurological Diseases
- Bacterial Disease – Precise Diagnosis Not Specified
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases
- Asthma
- Malignant Disease
- Diabetes Mellitus
Having one of these conditions does not automatically qualify someone for Attendance Allowance. The DWP assesses each claim based on the level of help or supervision the applicant needs.
Eligibility
To qualify for Attendance Allowance, you must have a physical disability, mental disability, or health condition that is severe enough for you to need help or supervision for your own safety or someone else’s.
In most cases, you must have needed that support for at least six months before making a claim. Different rules apply for people nearing the end of life.
Support
Attendance Allowance is intended for people who need assistance with everyday activities.
Examples of support that may be considered include:
- Help getting dressed.
- Assistance with bathing or washing.
- Support getting in or out of bed.
- Supervision to stay safe because of a health condition.
- Using equipment or mobility aids to complete daily tasks.
People with mental health conditions, learning disabilities, hearing loss, or visual impairments may also qualify if they require regular help or supervision.
Rules
Applicants must also meet certain residency requirements.
To qualify, you generally must:
- Be in Great Britain when you make your claim, although some exceptions apply.
- Have lived in Great Britain for at least two of the last three years.
- Be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands.
- Not be subject to immigration control unless an exemption applies.
Restrictions
Attendance Allowance cannot usually be claimed alongside certain other disability benefits.
People already receiving any of the following are generally not eligible:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Adult Disability Payment
- Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
Anyone unsure about their eligibility should check the latest guidance on GOV.UK before applying.
Claims
Attendance Allowance is one of several disability-related benefits administered by the DWP, but unlike some other benefits, entitlement is based on the help a person needs rather than the name of their medical condition.
Applicants should provide detailed information about how their illness or disability affects everyday life, including any assistance they need with routine tasks and personal safety.
With nearly 1.7 million people already receiving Attendance Allowance, the benefit continues to provide financial support to older people living with a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. While the list of recorded conditions is extensive, the DWP makes decisions based primarily on an individual’s care and supervision needs rather than diagnosis alone.
FAQs
Who can claim Attendance Allowance?
People over State Pension age needing daily care or supervision.
How much is Attendance Allowance?
£76.70 or £114.60 per week.
Is it based on a medical diagnosis?
No, it depends on your care needs.
Can you receive PIP and Attendance Allowance?
No, you generally cannot receive both.
