New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirm that nearly 1.7 million people aged 65 and over were receiving Attendance Allowance as of the end of August 2024. The benefit continues to play a central role in providing financial assistance to older individuals affected by various health conditions.
According to Manchester Evening News, this figure reflects the growing number of pensioners managing complex medical needs while remaining at home. The allowance is designed to assist those who require support or supervision due to illness or disability, and remains one of several non-means-tested benefits available in the UK.
Weekly Support Up to £110.40 for Those in Need of Care
Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested, tax-free benefit designed to help individuals of State Pension age who have a disabling condition that makes it difficult to manage personal care or stay safe. According to the DWP, the benefit is currently set at £73.90 (lower rate) and £110.40 (higher rate) per week for the 2025/26 financial year.
Payments are issued every four weeks, amounting to £295.60 or £441.60 per period, and up to £5,740.80 per year for those receiving the higher rate.
The benefit is aimed at people who need help with personal care—such as getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, using the toilet, dressing, eating, or drinking—or who require supervision to stay safe, including those with cognitive impairments or mental health conditions. It is not necessary to have a carer to qualify, but applicants must demonstrate that they need help or supervision during the day, at night, or both.
Importantly, Attendance Allowance does not include a mobility component and cannot be used to cover transportation-related needs.
Who Qualifies and How to Apply
The benefit supports people living with long-term physical or mental health conditions, including chronic illness, disabilities, or terminal diagnoses. Claimants do not need a formal diagnosis but must demonstrate that their condition causes significant care needs.
Applications can be submitted by filling out a detailed form, available by post or by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline.
Claimants can also get help from local organizations such as Citizens Advice, which offers a step-by-step guide here.
People with a terminal illness can have their claim fast-tracked under special rules, and their doctor or consultant can support this process.
Use of the Benefit
There are no restrictions on how Attendance Allowance is spent. Recipients often use it to pay for transportation such as taxis, contribute to household bills, hire a cleaner, gardener, or personal assistant, or purchase supportive equipment.
The goal is to help older adults maintain their independence and remain at home longer, despite increasing health needs.
Arthritis Most Common Disabling Condition With Over 483,000 Claimants
Data from the DWP shows that arthritis is the most common disabling condition among claimants, with 483,376 people receiving Attendance Allowance for arthritis-related care needs in the UK.
The DWP clarifies that the following list of 48 health conditions is not a checklist for eligibility, but rather a representation of the types of medical issues supported by the benefit. The conditions listed below include the percentage of claimants receiving support for each:
- Frailty – 100%
- Traumatic paraplegia – 54%
- Tuberculosis – 53%
- Multiple sclerosis – 52%
- Heart disease – 50%
- Neurological diseases – 50%
- Learning difficulties – 48%
- Spondylosis – 48%
- Personality disorder – 48%
- Arthritis – 47%
- Asthma – 47%
- AIDS – 47%
- Major trauma (non-paraplegia) – 45%
- Psychosis – 44%
- Epilepsy – 44%
- Multiple allergy syndrome – 44%
- Back pain (unspecified) – 43%
- Bacterial disease (unspecified) – 43%
- Hearing disorders – 42%
- Inflammatory bowel disease – 42%
- Cerebrovascular disease – 42%
- Visual disorders – 41%
- Multi-system disorders – 41%
- Peripheral vascular disease – 41%
- Muscle, bone or joint disease – 40%
- Chronic pain syndromes – 39%
- Diabetes mellitus – 39%
- Haemophilia – 39%
- Skin disease – 37%
- Alcohol and drug abuse – 37%
- Bowel and stomach disease – 37%
- Trauma to limbs – 36%
- Malignant disease – 35%
- Motor neurone disease – 32%
- Parkinson’s disease – 30%
- Behavioral disorder – 28%
- Hyperkinetic syndrome (e.g. ADHD) – 27%
- Cystic fibrosis – 27%
- Renal disorders – 26%
- Cognitive disorder (other) – 22%
- Haemodialysis – 22%
- Dementia – 20%
- Viral disease (unspecified) – 13%
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) – 1%
