By the end of May 2023, there were nearly 1.5 million older people receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance, the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show.
Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over state pension age – which is 66 – who need help with personal care or supervision because of disability, long-term illness and mental or physical health issues.
There are over 50 conditions which qualify a person for Attendance Allowance, the most common being arthritis.
Attendance Allowance provides support for 424,831 people who suffer from arthritis across Great Britain.
The payment is worth either £68.10 or £101.75 each week and is designed to help people of state pension age with daily living expenses and can also help them stay independent in their own home for longer.
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if someone has a disability severe enough that they need someone to help look after them.
It’s paid at two different rates and how much one gets depends on the level of care that they need because of their disability.
It is worth £68.10 or £101.75 a week – meaning people could potentially get £407 a month.
The lower rate is awarded to those who need help during the day or at night. The higher rate is for those who need help during the day and at night, or who are terminally ill.
Those under state pension age can apply for Personal Independence Payments (PIP). This benefit also provides extra money to help people with everyday life if they have an illness, disability or mental health condition
The top 10 most claimed conditions supported by Attendance Allowance make up 1,069,501 of the 1.45 million claiming the benefit.
The medical conditions are sourced from information recorded on the DWP’s Attendance Allowance computer system, the Daily Record stated.
It should be noted that this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported.
For more information, people can visit the Government website.
Britons can apply for the benefit if they need help with their personal care – for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet, or if they need help to stay safe.
Individuals should also apply if they have difficulties with personal tasks, for example, if they experience pain or need physical help, like a chair to lean on.
Attendance Allowance isn’t just for people with a physical disability or illness, it is for those with mental health conditions as well as learning difficulties.
Applicants must complete a long claim form when they apply for Attendance Allowance. For more information, people can visit Citizens Advice or the Government website.
