The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is actively encouraging households suffering from certain health conditions to check their eligibility for a vital support payment this month. People with one of 57 health conditions may be entitled to a monthly payment of £434.
DWP's Attendance Allowance
Attendance allowance is available from the DWP for those whose disability is so severe that they need the help of others to care for them. The amount allocated depends on the level of care required as a result of your disability. If you are physically or mentally disabled, or have reached State Pension age, you may be entitled to this allowance.
| Attendance Allowance | Weekly rate |
|---|---|
| Lower rate - if you often need help or supervision throughout the day only, or during the night only or someone with you when you are on dialysis | £72.65 |
| Higher rate - if you often need help or supervision throughout the day and during the night | £108.55 |
Along with other benefits, Attendance Allowance is set to increase this month. In November 2023, the government announced a 6.7% increase in state benefits from 8 April. Which means that from April 2024, if you qualify, you'll have more money in your pocket.
Health Conditions That Might Qualify for Attendance Allowance
If you are suffering from any of the following conditions, you may be entitled to an Attendance Allowance. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Arthritis
- Spondylosis
- Back pain
- Disease of the muscles, bones or joints
- Trauma to limbs
- Visual disorders and diseases
- Hearing disorders
- Heart disease
- Respiratory disorders and diseases
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Epilepsy
- Neurological diseases
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson's disease
- Motor neuron 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
- Hemodialysis
- Frailty
- Total parenteral nutrition
- AIDS
- Infectious diseases: viral disease - Covid-19
- Infectious diseases: viral disease - precise diagnosis not specified
- Infectious diseases: bacterial disease – tuberculosis
- Infectious diseases: bacterial disease – precise diagnosis not specified
- Infectious diseases: protozoal disease – malaria
- Infectious diseases: protozoal disease – other/precise diagnosis not specified
- Infectious diseases - other / precise diagnosis not specified
- Cognitive disorder - other / precise diagnosis not specified
- Terminally Ill
When Will You Be Paid?
- Once you are entitled to attendance allowance, the amount can be paid from the moment your claim begins.
- By printing off the form and sending it in by post, your claim will start on the date it is received by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
- Alternatively, if you ring the Helpline to request a form, your claim will start on the date you call (if you return the form within 6 weeks).
Application Process
Attendance Allowance can be claimed by post by using the forms on the GOV.UK website. Once completed, send the form by post to Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance. No postcode or stamp is required.
Additionally, it is possible to call the Attendance Allowance helpline to request a copy of the form and alternative formats, such as Braille, large print or audio CD. The Helpline number is 0800 731 0122 and operates from 8am to 6pm.
Attendance Allowance in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland differs from the rest of the UK in terms of the procedure for claiming Attendance Allowance. To find out more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit this link.