People already claiming Attendance Allowance may be able to boost payments by £146 every month
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of August last year, nearly 1.7 million people across Great Britain were receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance. The data also indicates that 150,000 people living in Scotland are now receiving either £73.90 or £110.40 each week through the non-means-tested benefit, following the annual uprating.
As the benefit is usually paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period. The payment rates also apply to Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP).
The devolved benefit has now replaced all new claims for Attendance Allowance north of the border - find out more here.
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit delivered by the DWP, designed to help older people with daily living expenses which could help them stay independent in their own home for longer.
For some people whose condition may have declined, or have developed further health issues since their award began, it may be worthwhile contacting the DWP to report a change of circumstances - especially if they are on the lower rate.
This is something that shouldn't be put off as reporting a change in your condition could lead to higher payments for those currently on the standard rate. It's important to be aware that DWP guidance states that if your circumstances change, the amount you get from Attendance Allowance may go up or down.
If you are currently on the lower rate of £73.90 per week, your payments could increase by £36.50 to the higher rate of £110.40. Monthly payments would rise by £146 from £295.60 to £441.60.
The guidance also lists several reasons for contacting them about a change in your circumstances if you are claiming Attendance Allowance.
This includes:
the level of help you need or your condition changes - you'll need to provide details like if the amount of times you need help each day has changed
you go into hospital or a care home - you'll need to provide the address, the dates you've been there for, and how your stay is paid for
a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live
you leave the country for more than 4 weeks
you go into prison
you change your name, address or bank details
you want to stop receiving your benefit
your doctor's details change
your immigration status changes, if you're not a British citizen
Reporting a change if you need more help
You should consider contacting the DWP to report a change if you feel you need more help for a disability or illness. This could be additional help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you do not currently get that help.
This could 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 consider reporting a change if you are experiencing more difficulties completing 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. But remember, Attendance Allowance is not just for people with a physical disability or illness.
You should also consider reporting a change 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
You can contact the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. Full details about reporting a change can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
The most common condition claimed on Attendance Allowance is arthritis (29%) with some 483,376 people receiving support for it.
However, there are nearly 50 conditions being supported by Attendance Allowance and even if you're already claiming for one of these, another may have developed or your current condition may have become more debilitating.
Health issues supported by Attendance Allowance
Support is also provided for People who are terminally ill.
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
Terminally ill
How much could I get on Attendance Allowance?
You could receive £73.90 if you need help during the day or at night or £110.40 if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks , which means you could receive 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
Full guidance on Attendance Allowance can be found on GOV.UK here.
Pension Age Disability Payment
PADP is only available for people with a Scottish postcode making a new claim.
Existing claimants will be transferred to the Social Security Scotland system in phases before the end of 2025, but until then, all changes in circumstances should be reported to DWP.
Eligibility for Pension Age Disability Payment
New guidance on mygov.scot provides full details on who can claim, how to claim, additional help available, what happens after a claim is submitted and extra support for successful claimants. Find out more here.
You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment if you have both:
Reached State Pension age (66)
Had care needs during the day or night for 6 months or more because of a disability or health condition
You can still apply if:
You have not had care needs for 6 months or more - your award will begin 6 months from when your care needs started if your application is successful
You are waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosis
You have a terminal illness - there is a separate fast-track application process if you're terminally ill
It's important to be aware you cannot get Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance at the same time. Existing claimants will automatically move to Pension Age Disability Payment - Social Security Scotland will do this and you will not have to do anything.
If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you do not need to do anything. Your benefit will move to Social Security Scotland.
How do I apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment?
You can only apply for the new disability assistance benefit if you live in Scotland. Full details on mygov.scot here.
Anyone over State Pension age with a disability that means they need assistance with looking after themselves, or supervision to keep them safe, should continue to apply for Attendance Allowance through the DWP.
Get support making a claim from an independent advocate
Help is also available from the independent advocacy service VoiceAbility, which is funded by the Scottish Government, to help disabled people applying for devolved benefits.
It provides a free, nationwide advocacy service supporting disabled people to access Social Security Scotland benefits.
If you need an advocate, you should:
contact Social Security Scotland for free on 0800 182 2222
ask them to refer you to the Independent Advocacy Service
Full contact details can be found here.
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