Nearly 1.7 million State Pensioners across England and Wales receive Attendance Allowance, and some could see their payments rise by up to £151.60 a month if their care needs have changed.
The tax-free disability benefit provides weekly payments of £76.70 or £114.60, depending on the level of help a person needs during the day, at night, or both. The higher rate can also apply to people who are terminally ill.
Daily Record Reports Potential Payment Increases For Claimants
According to the Daily Record, new figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that almost 1.7 million people in England and Wales were receiving Attendance Allowance at the end of November 2025.
In Scotland, more than 185,800 people are receiving Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), the devolved benefit that has replaced Attendance Allowance for Scottish claimants.
Both payments support older people who need extra help because of a disability, long-term illness, or health condition. They are not means-tested, meaning savings and other income do not affect eligibility, and they do not reduce a person’s State Pension.
In Scotland, more than 185,800 people are receiving Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), the devolved benefit that has replaced Attendance Allowance for Scottish claimants.
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Reporting Changes Could Lead To A Higher Rate Payment
People receiving the lower Attendance Allowance rate may want to report changes if their health has worsened or they now need more support.
A claimant currently receiving £76.70 a week could move to the higher rate of £114.60 a week if they meet the conditions. That difference equals an additional £37.90 each week, or around £151.60 over a four-week payment period.
Changes that may need to be reported include needing more help with personal care, such as dressing, eating, drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing, showering, or using the toilet. Support needs can also include help staying safe, spending more time completing daily tasks, experiencing pain during activities, or requiring physical assistance such as a chair for support.
The benefit also covers people with non-physical conditions. Claimants may need to report changes linked to mental health conditions, learning difficulties, or sensory conditions including being deaf or blind.
Attendance Allowance Supports A Wide Range Of Health Conditions
The most common condition claimed under Attendance Allowance is arthritis, with around 512,300 people receiving support for it.
The benefit also supports people with spondylosis, back pain with other or unspecified diagnoses, diseases affecting the muscles, bones or joints, trauma to limbs, blindness, deafness, heart disease, chest disease, asthma, and cystic fibrosis.
Other supported conditions include cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, epilepsy, neurological diseases, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, chronic pain syndromes, diabetes mellitus, metabolic disease, traumatic paraplegia or tetraplegia, and other major trauma.
Support can also apply to people with 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, and severe mental impairment.
The list also includes double amputation, deafblindness, haemodialysis, frailty, total parenteral nutrition, AIDS, and conditions affecting people who are terminally ill.
How Attendance Allowance Payments Work
The lower rate of £76.70 a week is available for people who need help during the day or night. The higher rate of £114.60 a week applies to those who need assistance during both periods or who are terminally ill.
Payments are made every four weeks, with claimants able to spend the money according to their own needs. This can include costs such as taxis, household bills, cleaning services, or gardening help.
Receiving Attendance Allowance may also increase entitlement to other support, including Pension Credit, Housing Benefit Reduction, and Council Tax Reduction.
Scotland Uses Pension Age Disability Payment For New Claims
People living in Scotland apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead of Attendance Allowance.
To qualify, a person must have reached State Pension age and have needed care during the day or night for at least six months because of a disability or health condition. Applications can still be made by people without a diagnosis, those waiting for a diagnosis, and people with a terminal illness through a separate fast-track process.
A person cannot receive both Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance at the same time.
The Attendance Allowance helpline is available on 0800 731 0122 from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm, while Scottish claimants can contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 to report changes.
