Older people with health issues could boost State Pension by up to £5,740 this year
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of August 2024, nearly 1.7 million older people were claiming Attendance Allowance, including 150,000 living in Scotland.
The tax-free benefit is not means-tested and worth either £73.90 for the lower rate or £110.40 for the higher rate each week. Attendance Allowance is usually paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period - some £5,740.80 over the current financial year.
How much someone receives depends on the level of support needed and the benefit is designed to help people of State Pension age with daily living expenses which can also help them stay independent in their own home for longer. It's important to be aware there is no mobility component attached to Attendance Allowance.
Attendance Allowance changes in Scotland
Older people living in Scotland can no longer claim Attendance Allowance and instead, need to claim the new devolved benefit, Pension Age Disability Payment. New figures from Social Security Scotland show some 1,875 people over 66 were receiving Pension Age Disability Payments at the end of April.
The benefit follows the same eligibility criteria and payment award scale as DWP, but is administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland. Full details on the benefit can be found on MYGOV.SCOT here.
Number of Attendance Allowance claimants - August 2024
The number of older people receiving payments includes:
Scotland - 149,997
England - 1,406,281
Wales - 110,047
Living abroad - 5,912
Total - 1,672,590
Support for people with health conditions
The benefit supports people with a disability, long-term illness and mental or physical health issues.
The list of conditions supported through Attendance Allowance is long, but the most common disabling condition - an umbrella term used by the DWP - is arthritis, which provides support for 483,376 people across Great Britain, including 44,455 in Scotland.
It's important to note that this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported.
However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance on the GOV.UK website here.
The figures below show the percentage of people claiming for health issues related to these 48 conditions:
Arthritis - 47%
Spondylosis - 48%
Back Pain - Other / Precise Diagnosis not Specified - 43%
Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints - 40%
Trauma to Limbs - 36%
Visual Disorders and Diseases - 41%
Hearing Disorders - 42%
Heart Disease - 50%
Respiratory Disorders and Diseases - 33%
Asthma - 47%
Cystic Fibrosis - 27%
Cerebrovascular Disease - 42%
Peripheral vascular Disease - 41%
Epilepsy - 44%
Neurological Diseases - 50%
Multiple Sclerosis - 52%
Parkinsons - 30%
Motor Neurone Disease - 32%
Chronic Pain Syndromes - 39%
Diabetes Mellitus - 39%
Metabolic Disease - 38%
Traumatic Paraplegia - 54%
Major Trauma Other than Traumatic/Paraplegia - 45%
Learning Difficulties - 48%
Psychosis - 44%
Psychoneurosis - 38%
Personality Disorder - 48%
Dementia - 20%
Behavioral Disorder - 28%
Alcohol and Drug Abuse - 37%
Hyperkinetic Syndrome - 27%
Renal Disorders - 26%
Inflammatory Bowel Disease - 42%
Bowel and Stomach Disease - 37%
Blood Disorders - 39%
Haemophilia - 39%
Multi System Disorders - 41%
Multiple Allergy Syndrome - 44%
Skin Disease - 37%
Malignant Disease - 35%
Haemodialysis - 22%
Frailty - 100%
AIDS - 47%
Coronavirus covid-19 - 1%
Viral disease - precise diagnosis not specified - 13%
Tuberculosis - 53%
Bacterial disease - precise diagnosis not specified - 43%
Cognitive disorder (other) - 22%
It's important to note there are special rules for people with a terminal illness, to help speed up their application - full details on GOV.UK here.
Below is everything you need to know about Attendance Allowance including the main health conditions being claimed, eligibility and how to make a claim.
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.
Who can 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
Help to stay safe
You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn't just for people with a physical disability or illness.
You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:
a mental health condition
learning difficulties
a sensory condition - if you are deaf or visually impaired
Attendance Allowance help to claim
Attendance Allowance claims simplified
Up to £5,750 for Scots pensioners
Claim form tips to help you get support
Health conditions paying up to £441
How much could I get on Attendance Allowance?
You could receive either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week. This amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period.
You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer.
This might include:
paying for taxis
helping towards bills
paying for a cleaner or gardener
Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income?
Yes. Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested so it doesn't matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings either - there's no limit. it is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won't have money taken away from any other benefits.
Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension?
No, it won't affect your State Pension and you can even claim it if you're still working and earning money.
How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, these include:
Extra Pension Credit
Housing Benefit Reduction
Council Tax Reduction
How do I make a claim?
You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. It might seem daunting at first but help is available from your nearest Citizens Advice, so don't let the form put you off applying.
If you'd prefer to do it yourself you can follow the Citizens Advice guide on how to fill in your claim form here. Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age?
If you are thinking about applying for Attendance Allowance when you reach State Pension age, you might be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away - you may be able to get more money.
Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?
You cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you have a Scottish postcode. You need to claim Pension Age Disability Payment through Social Security Scotland - full details here.
You won't be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to pay for your care. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while getting DLA, the DWP will usually reassess your DLA award instead.
You can renew your PIP or DLA when the existing award ends as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Martin Lewis urges more than a million pensioners to claim benefit worth at least £3,800
Money expert Martin Lewis has issued a fresh call for eligible pensioners to check if they could get thousands of pounds a year through an 'underclaimed' government benefit. Attendance Allowance is designated for pensioners aged 66 and over who have a disability or health condition severe enough to require regular assistance. The benefit administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) offers two rates, potentially providing an extra £3,842.80 or £5,644 annually. Crucially, eligibility is not dependent on income or savings, meaning anyone who qualifies will receive the payment regardless of their financial circumstances. Writing to followers in his latest Money Saving Expert newsletter, Mr Lewis said: 'For many older people who are ill or start to face mental or physical disability, life doesn't just get tougher, it gets costlier too. 'That's why 18 months ago we launched our Attendance Allowance guide and awareness campaign, and successes have flooded in since. Yet it remains massively underclaimed.' He adds that an estimated 1.1 million eligible pensioners are missing out on the benefit, according to figures from Policy in Practice, meaning that more awareness is needed. A wide range of common health conditions could qualify a person for Attendance Allowance, including arthritis, blindness, heart disease, Parkinson's, and asthma. The two payment rates depend on the level of care required. The higher rate is worth £110.40 a week, while the lower rate provides £73.90 a week. Although the DWP states the benefit is intended to help with care costs, recipients are free to spend the money as they wish. How to claim Attendance Allowance To be eligible for Attendance Allowance, applicants must have reached pension age, which is currently 66. The benefit can be claimed irrespective of state pension payments, savings, or whether the individual is still earning a regular income. The application form is lengthy, but charities such as Citizens Advice and Age UK offer support with the process and provide tips for online applications. To be eligible, an applicant must have a physical disability, mental disability, or health condition severe enough to necessitate help for their own or someone else's safety, and this assistance must have been required for at least the past six months. To qualify for the lower rate, frequent supervision or attention is needed during the day or night. The higher rate applies if this is required both day and night, or if the individual is nearing the end of their life. Applicants must also be in Great Britain when they claim, and have been in the country for at least two of the last three years. Agents from the DWP typically make decisions based on the information provided in the form, making it essential to include all relevant details, such as a national insurance number, NHS number, prescription and hospital records. This process means most applicants will not undergo an in-person assessment, although it is possible "if it's unclear how your disability or health condition affects you," the DWP states, in which case a medical professional will conduct an examination. It is important to note that Attendance Allowance cannot be claimed if the individual is already receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
MP criticises DWP as she accuses them of cutting off her own son's PIP
The Department for Work and Pensions has been accused of being 'at war' with the people it is supposed to protect The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is facing heavy criticism from an MP over her son's Personal Independence Payments (PIP). She said the department had cut his funds 'entirely' despite his health worsening. During a debate in the House of Commons about the government's latest benefit reform bill last week, the DWP came under heavy criticism from Labour MP Alison Hume. She criticised the department and suggested they were often antagonistic towards those they are meant to support. She said: "The DWP is too frequently at war with the people it is supposed to protect. Too frequently, it lets down the most vulnerable in our community, and it mostly gets away with it." A 'hostile' culture to disabled people She said there was a pressing need for change within the DWP. At this point, she shared her personal ordeal, highlighting what she said was the department's adversarial approach towards disabled claimants - but said the DWP offered to reinstate her son's benefits if she dropped a tribunal. She added: "That experience cemented in my mind something that I believe to this day: the culture of the DWP is hostile to disabled people. That culture must change if we are to have any chance of building a sustainable, fair and compassionate welfare system for the future." She then made the claim that despite a decline in her son's health, the DWP entirely stopped his benefits following the submission of new evidence for his reassessment. She said: "In May, after reporting a deterioration in his health, he submitted new evidence to support reassessment for a higher rate of PIP, which led to the DWP removing his award entirely. "He was left with no income or support despite his ongoing need for care." Less support for those returning to work Speaking on the challenges faced by those with fluctuating health conditions, Ms Hume pointed out that rejected PIP applicants often resort to the health component of Universal Credit. She drew attention to the fact that such people may return to work during brief improvements in their health. But she cautioned that when they experience another downturn in health and need to rely on Universal Credit again, under the government's proposed bill, their financial support would be diminished. She argued: "That completely ignores the realities faced by disabled people and their experience of their conditions. Without the protections provided for in amendment 38, we would create a two-tier system where people with unpredictable conditions would be valued less than those with more predictable ones." 'Genuine support' for disabled people A DWP spokesperson commented: "While we were not provided with the details to look into this specific case, we will consider all the available evidence when making decisions and people have the right to challenge them and provide additional information. "We're reforming the welfare system so people are genuinely supported into work while putting it on a sustainable footing. We are putting disabled people at the heart of a ministerial review of the PIP assessment to make sure it is fit and fair for the future, and we will work with them and key organisations representing them, to consider how best to do this."
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
DWP special grant provides extra support for disabled workers
The Access to Work grant is available for anyone with a physical or mental health condition and can provide a grant to help pay for a wide range of things related to work Disabled people across the UK could be in line for additional financial aid to help them either remain in or gain employment, the DWP says. The Access to Work scheme offers support to those with physical or mental health conditions or disabilities - and can sometimes provide a grant to cover various work-related expenses. According to official guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), this may include assistance with "practical support with your work". The scheme also covers communication support during job interviews and offers extra help for managing mental health at work. And if you work from home, whether part-time or full-time, your home could be considered a workplace for the purposes of the scheme. Receiving an Access to Work grant won't impact any other benefits you're getting, and there's no requirement to repay it. However, there might be instances where you or your employer have to cover some costs up front and reimburse them later. All the things you can get with Access to Work While there is not solid cash figure that can be claimed from Access to Work, official guidance highlights that it can help eligible claimants pay for a wide range of things to help them at work. This includes: costs of travelling to work, if you cannot use public transport support workers, like a BSL interpreter, a job coach or a travel buddy specialist equipment and assistive software adaptations to your vehicle so you can get to work physical changes to your workplace Those who need extra mental health support can also use Access to Work to receive a tailored plan that will help them stay or get into work as well as receive one-to-one sessions with a mental health professional. If you need extra communication support, specifically for job interview, you can use Access to Work to help pay for a BSL interpreter or lip speaker. Keep in mind that Access to Work will not pay for things that are considered 'reasonable adjustment' in the workplace. This refers to any changes that an employer is legally required to make in order to support you to do your job. How to apply for Access to Work You can make a claim for Access to Work as long as you have a physical or mental health condition or disability and be aged 16 or over. You must also either be in paid work or about start or return to paid work in the next 12 weeks. While you can receive help when living or working in England, Scotland, or Wales, it is not available in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. In order to apply for Access to Work, you must first have the following details on hand: your workplace address and postcode details of a workplace contact who can confirm you work there, if you're employed (they will not be contacted without your permission) your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number, if you're self-employed your contact details information about how your condition affects your work and what support you think you need You can either apply online or by dialling the Acess to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479.
