Older people with specific conditions may not realise they could qualify for support through Attendance Allowance
Millions of State Pensioners could be in line for an income boost exceeding £5,000 if they live with a specific health condition. Elderly individuals suffering from long-term illnesses, disabilities or physical or mental health conditions might not be aware that they could be eligible for support through Attendance Allowance.
The DWP has identified 48 conditions that qualify for this assistance. This benefit, which is not means-tested, can provide either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) each week.
Typically paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £290.60 or £434.20 per pay period – a total of £5,644.60 over the 2024/25 financial year. This makes it considerably more valuable than the one-off annual Winter Fuel Payment, offering an additional £5,314 in financial support.
However, if you’re over 66 and on a low income, it’s crucial to check your entitlement to Pension Credit, which is worth approximately £4,200 annually and can provide access to other support, including help with housing costs, Council Tax and Winter Fuel Payments. To quickly check eligibility for Pension Credit, older people, or their friends and family, can use the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK, reports the Daily Record.
Pensioners can ring the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveal that as of May 2024, over 1.6 million people above State Pension age were receiving extra financial help through Attendance Allowance.
If you need additional support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check the official eligibility guidance for Attendance Allowance on the GOV. UK website here.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes it hard for you to look after yourself – it does not cover mobility needs. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim.
You should apply for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night – even if you don’t currently get that help. This might include help with your personal care – for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet.
If you find personal tasks challenging, whether they’re time-consuming, painful or require physical help, it might be worth applying for Attendance Allowance. This benefit isn’t just for those with physical disabilities or illnesses.
It’s also available if you need assistance or supervision throughout the day or night due to mental health issues, learning difficulties, or sensory conditions such as deafness or visual impairment. The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is paid at the same rate as Attendance Allowance, which could be either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) per week.
This amounts to either £290.60 or £434.20 every four weeks. The cash can be spent in any way you see fit and could help maintain your independence at home.
Crucially, Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested, so your savings and other income won’t affect your eligibility.
Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance
- Arthritis
- Parkinsons Disease
- Psychoneurosis
- Bowel and Stomach Disease
- Blood Disorders
- Haemophilia
- Back Pain
- Renal Disorders
- Double Amputee
- Visual Disorders and Diseases
- Hyperkinetic Syndrome
- Infectious diseases: Viral disease – Coronavirus covid-19
- Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Heart Disease
- Severely Mentally impaired
- Malignant Disease
- Learning Difficulties
- Asthma
- Dementia
- Psychosis
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Frailty
- Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
- Skin Disease
- Neurological Diseases
- Personality Disorder
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Haemodialysis
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Metabolic Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- AIDS
- Multi System Disorders
- Spondylosis
- Behavioural Disorder
- Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Epilepsy
- Peripheral vascular Disease
- Multiple Allergy Syndrome
- Total Parenteral Nutrition
- Deaf/Blind
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases
- Trauma to Limbs
- Hearing Disorders
