More than 1.7 million people in the UK claim this payment
Brits could boost monthly payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by as much as £146. If you are already claiming Attendance Allowance it’s worth checking if you can get the full amount available.
The most recent data from the DWP reveals that as of February 2025, over 1.7 million people across Great Britain were receiving extra financial aid via Attendance Allowance. This benefit is not means-tested, it’s tax-free and valued at either £73.90 or £110.40 per week.
Given that this allowance is typically disbursed every four weeks, this equates to either £295.60 or £441.60 each payment cycle. These rates are also applicable to Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), a devolved benefit managed and provided by Social Security Scotland, which has now taken over all new and existing claims for Attendance Allowance in Scotland.
Administered by the DWP, Attendance Allowance is intended to assist older people with daily living costs, potentially enabling them to maintain their independence at home for a longer period. For those whose health may have deteriorated, or who have developed additional health problems since their award was granted, it could be beneficial to inform the DWP of a change in circumstances – particularly if they are on the lower rate.
As reported by the Daily Record, it’s crucial not to delay reporting any changes in your condition, as this could potentially result in increased payments for those currently receiving the standard rate. It’s worth noting that according to DWP guidelines, if your circumstances alter, the amount you receive from Attendance Allowance may increase or decrease.
If you’re currently on the lower rate of £73.90 per week, your payments could see a rise of £36.50, bringing it to the higher rate of £110.40. Consequently, monthly payments would experience an uplift of £146, moving from £295.60 to £441.60.
The guidance also outlines several reasons why you should contact them about a change in your circumstances if you are claiming Attendance Allowance
These include:
- Changes in the level of assistance you require or your condition – you’ll need to provide details such as if the frequency of help you need each day has altered
- Admission into hospital or a care home – you’ll need to provide the address, the dates of your stay, and how your stay is financed
- A medical professional has indicated you might have 12 months or less to live
- Leaving the country for more than four weeks
- Incarceration
- Changes in your name, address or bank details
- Deciding to stop receiving your benefit
- Changes in your doctor’s details
- Changes in your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
Help with claiming Attendance Allowance
If you require additional assistance due to a disability or illness, it may be worth reaching out to the DWP to report a change. This could pertain to extra help or supervision throughout the day or during certain periods at night, even if you’re not currently receiving such support.
This might include:
- Assistance with personal care – for instance, dressing, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and using the toilet
- Aid to ensure safety
You should also contemplate reporting a change if you’re encountering increased difficulties in performing personal tasks, such as if they consume a lot of time, cause pain, or necessitate physical support like a chair to lean on. However, bear in mind that Attendance Allowance isn’t solely for individuals with a physical disability or illness.
Consider reporting a change too if you need more help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:
- A mental health condition
- Learning difficulties
- A sensory condition – if you are deaf or blind
The Attendance Allowance helpline can be reached at 0800 731 0122, from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm. Comprehensive information about reporting a change is available on the GOV.UK website here.
Arthritis is the most common condition claimed on Attendance Allowance, with approximately 508,964 people receiving support for it. However, nearly 50 conditions are covered by Attendance Allowance, and even if you’re already receiving support for one of these, another may have developed or your existing condition may have worsened.
Health issues eligible for Attendance Allowance
- Arthritis
- Spondylosis
- Back Pain – Other / Precise Diagnosis not Specified
- Disease of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
- Trauma to Limbs
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Heart disease
- Chest disease
- Asthma
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Peripheral vascular Disease
- Epilepsy
- Neurological Diseases
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Metabolic Disease
- Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Learning Difficulties
- Psychosis
- Psychoneurosis
- Personality Disorder
- Dementia
- Behavioural Disorder
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Hyperkinetic Syndrome
- Renal Disorders
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Bowel and Stomach Disease
- Blood Disorders
- Haemophilia
- Multi System Disorders
- Multiple Allergy Syndrome
- Skin Disease
- Malignant Disease
- Severely Mentally impaired
- Double Amputee
- Deaf/Blind
- Haemodialysis
- Frailty
- Total Parenteral Nutrition
- AIDS
- Terminal illness
How much might I be eligible for with Attendance Allowance?
You could potentially receive £73.90 if you require assistance during the day or night, or £110.40 if you need help both during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is disbursed every four weeks, meaning you could receive either £295.60 or £441.60 per payment cycle.
The funds can be utilised as you see fit and could assist in maintaining your independence within your own home for a longer duration.
This could include:
- Covering taxi fares
- Contributing towards bills
- Employing a cleaner or gardener
For the latest money-saving tips, shopping and consumer news, go to the new Everything Money website.
