Thousands of older people with health conditions may be able to receive additional financial support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through Attendance Allowance.
The benefit can be worth up to £458.40 every four weeks at the current 2026/27 higher rate. It is designed to help older people with the extra costs associated with needing personal care or supervision because of a disability or health condition.
Several conditions account for significant numbers of Attendance Allowance recipients, including arthritis, dementia, heart disease and respiratory illnesses. However, having one of these diagnoses does not automatically result in an award.
What matters is how the condition affects a person’s everyday life and whether they need help or supervision.
Conditions
Figures show that seven groups of health conditions account for large numbers of people receiving Attendance Allowance:
| Health condition | Number of recipients |
|---|---|
| Arthritis | 416,313 |
| Dementia | 148,337 |
| Heart disease | 103,330 |
| Respiratory conditions | 85,674 |
| Diseases of the muscles, bones or joints | 72,070 |
| Cerebrovascular disease | 68,071 |
| Back pain | 62,211 |
These figures show the number of recipients associated with particular conditions, but they should not be interpreted as a list of conditions that automatically qualify for the benefit.
Attendance Allowance is based on a person’s care or supervision needs rather than simply the medical diagnosis recorded on their paperwork.
For example, two people with arthritis could have very different circumstances. One may remain independent with everyday activities, while another may need substantial assistance with washing, dressing, eating or staying safe.
The impact on daily life is therefore central to a claim.
Rates
There are two Attendance Allowance rates in 2026/27.
The lower rate is £76.70 a week, while the higher rate is £114.60 a week.
| Attendance Allowance rate | Weekly amount | Four-week amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lower | £76.70 | £306.80 |
| Higher | £114.60 | £458.40 |
The higher rate is available where someone has qualifying care or supervision needs during both the day and night. Special rules can also apply to people who are nearing the end of their lives.
The payments are intended to help with additional care and supervision costs. Attendance Allowance is not a mobility benefit and is not specifically designed to cover transport or getting around.
Eligibility
Attendance Allowance is available to people who have reached State Pension age and have a physical or mental disability, illness or health condition that creates qualifying care or supervision needs.
The DWP considers the practical consequences of a person’s condition.
Someone may need help with personal activities such as washing, dressing, eating or taking medication. Alternatively, they may require supervision because their condition means they could be at risk without someone nearby.
A person does not necessarily need to have a paid or unpaid carer already helping them. The fact that assistance or supervision is needed can be relevant even if the person currently manages without formal care.
This is important because some people may assume they cannot claim simply because they live alone or do not have a carer.
Arthritis
Arthritis is among the conditions associated with a large number of Attendance Allowance recipients.
However, an arthritis diagnosis alone does not establish entitlement.
The relevant question is how arthritis affects the person’s ability to manage everyday activities. Pain, restricted movement or other symptoms could mean that someone needs help with personal care or supervision.
For instance, an older person may struggle to wash, dress, prepare food or move safely around their home because of the effects of their condition.
When making a claim, explaining the actual assistance required can therefore be more useful than simply naming the diagnosis.
The same principle applies to the other conditions included in the figures.
Dementia
Dementia can create care and supervision needs that are different from those caused by physical conditions.
A person may require supervision because of memory problems, confusion or difficulties staying safe. They may also need assistance with personal activities or managing everyday routines.
Again, the diagnosis itself does not automatically guarantee Attendance Allowance. The assessment focuses on the person’s needs and the help or supervision required.
The figures show that dementia is among the conditions associated with a substantial number of Attendance Allowance recipients.
Extra
Receiving Attendance Allowance can sometimes have wider financial consequences.
Depending on individual circumstances, receiving the benefit may help someone qualify for additional support through other benefits or reductions, including Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.
These additional forms of support have their own eligibility rules, so receiving Attendance Allowance does not automatically mean someone will receive each of them.
It can nevertheless be worth checking whether an Attendance Allowance award changes entitlement to other support.
Attendance Allowance is also separate from the State Pension. A person can receive their State Pension and Attendance Allowance at the same time if they satisfy the relevant eligibility requirements.
End
There are special rules for people who are nearing the end of their lives. Under the relevant process, a person may be able to receive the higher rate of Attendance Allowance without going through the usual route used for other claims.
Medical information can be important under these rules, and the application process is different from a standard claim.
People who believe these rules could apply to them should check the current DWP guidance or seek appropriate advice about making a claim.
Scotland
People living in Scotland need to be aware that the system is different.
Attendance Allowance has been replaced in Scotland by Pension Age Disability Payment for eligible people of State Pension age.
Someone receiving Attendance Allowance who moves from England or Wales to Scotland needs to report the change and may need to make a new claim for Pension Age Disability Payment.
Similarly, someone moving from Scotland to England or Wales will need to apply for Attendance Allowance rather than Pension Age Disability Payment.
The change in benefit system means that location is an important part of understanding which application process applies.
Claim
For older people living with a long-term health condition, the key issue is not simply whether their diagnosis appears on a list of common conditions.
Attendance Allowance is focused on the help with personal care or supervision that a person needs because of their condition. Someone with arthritis, dementia, heart disease, respiratory disease or another condition may qualify if their care needs meet the relevant rules.
At the 2026/27 rates, the higher award is £114.60 a week, equivalent to £458.40 over four weeks, while the lower rate is £76.70 a week, or £306.80 over four weeks. The benefit is separate from the State Pension and does not require someone to already have a carer. Anyone considering a claim should check the current eligibility rules and explain clearly how their condition affects their everyday care and supervision needs.
