Older people living with disabilities or serious health conditions could receive up to £6,167.72 a year through Attendance Allowance from April 2027, following a planned 3.5% increase in benefit payments.
How Much Attendance Allowance Could Increase in 2027
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has outlined a rise in disability-related benefits for the 2027–28 tax year, according to WalesOnline. The increase would affect Attendance Allowance, a benefit designed to help people over State Pension age who need personal care or supervision because of a disability or health condition.
The allowance currently offers two weekly payment rates: £76.70 for people requiring help during the day or night, and £114.60 for those with more extensive care or supervision needs.
Applying the announced 3.5% increase would bring those payments to approximately £79.38 and £118.61 a week, respectively.
Over a full year, those amounts would equal £4,127.76 at the lower rate and £6,167.72 at the higher rate.
The DWP has not yet formally confirmed these individual Attendance Allowance figures. They remain calculations based on the government’s announced percentage increase.
Why This Benefit Is Different From Other Pensioner Payments
One defining feature of Attendance Allowance is that it is non-means-tested. A person’s savings and income do not determine whether they qualify for the benefit.
Instead, eligibility depends on the level of care or supervision required because of a disability or long-term health condition.
The allowance is generally available to people who have reached State Pension age, currently 66, and need help with personal care or supervision to remain safe.
Claimants do not necessarily need someone actively caring for them to qualify. What matters is whether their condition creates a qualifying need for assistance.
The planned increase would add approximately £139.36 annually to the lower payment rate and £208.52 to the higher rate, based on the projected weekly figures.
DWP Sets April 2027 Date for Benefit Changes
Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, outlined the government’s timetable in a statement to Parliament.
“The new rates will apply in the tax year 2027-28 and will mainly come into effect from 12 April 2027,” he said.
McFadden confirmed that the broader benefits increase would follow September’s inflation figures.
“Other state pension and benefit rates covered by my statutory review will be increased by 3.5%, in line with the increase in the consumer prices index in the year to September 2026.”
He explained that the adjustment would cover disability-related support alongside several other payments.
“This includes most working-age benefits and other benefits for people below state pension age; benefits to help with additional needs arising from disability; statutory payments including statutory sick pay and statutory maternity pay; and additional state pension. The pension credit savings credit maximum amount will also increase by 3.5%.”
State Pensions and Pension Credit Will Rise by 3.9%
The government has announced a separate 3.9% increase for the basic and new State Pensions, reflecting average earnings growth.
“I am pleased to announce that the basic and full rate of the new state pensions will be increased by 3.9%, in line with the increase in average weekly earnings in the year to May-July 2026,” McFadden said.
“This delivers on our triple lock commitment throughout this Parliament to increase these rates in line with the highest of growth in prices, growth in earnings or 2.5%. From April, the full annual rate of the new state pension will increase by around £490. The full annual rate of the basic state pension will increase by around £375.”
Pension Credit will also receive an increase under the new arrangements.
“The standard minimum guarantee in pension credit will also increase by 3.9% in line with the increase in average weekly earnings. From April, it will be £247.30 a week for a single pensioner and £377.40 a week for a couple, ensuring the incomes of the poorest pensioners are protected.”
The revised benefit and pension rates are scheduled to take effect mainly on April 12, 2027.
