Older people claiming Attendance Allowance shoots up by 46,000 in three months

At the end of November 2023, nearly 1.6 million older people were receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance

Fresh figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show a sharp rise in the number of people claiming Attendance Allowance. Attendance Allowance is extra money if you have a long-term physical or mental condition or disability.

At the end of November 2023, nearly 1.6 million older people were receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance. This is an increase of 46,098 on the number of people claiming the non-means tested benefit in the previous quarter, ending in August 2023.

It is worth either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) each week and, as the benefit is usually paid every four weeks, it amounts to either £290.60 or £434.20 every pay period - some £5,644.60 over the 2024/25 financial year.

How much someone receives depends on the level of support needed and the benefit is designed to help people of State Pension age with daily living expenses which can also help them stay independent in their own home for longer. It’s important to be aware there is no mobility component attached to Attendance Allowance.

The benefit supports people with a disability, long-term illness and mental or physical health issues. The list of conditions supported through Attendance Allowance is long, but the most common disabling condition - an umbrella term used by the DWP - is arthritis, which provides support for 449,077 people across Great Britain, including 41,055 in Scotland.

Below is everything you need to know about Attendance Allowance including the main health conditions being claimed, eligibility and how to make a claim.

Number of Attendance Allowance claimants - November 2023

• Scotland - 140,716
• England - 1,321,779
• Wales - 103,653
• Living abroad - 5,323
• Total - 1,571,519

Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance

The conditions listed below are sourced from information recorded on the DWP’s Attendance Allowance computer system.

It’s important to note this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported. However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance on the GOV.UK website here.

Main health conditions providing support to older people across Great Britain

• Severely Mentally impaired
• Psychoneurosis
• Psychosis
• Metabolic Disease
• Infectious diseases: Viral disease - Coronavirus covid-19
• Bowel and Stomach Disease
• Chronic Pain Syndromes
• Renal Disorders
• Heart Disease
• Spondylosis
• Trauma to Limbs
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Respiratory Disorders and Diseases
• Behavioural Disorder
• Haemophilia
• Multiple Allergy Syndrome
• Parkinsons Disease
• Dementia
• Multi System Disorders
• Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
• Hearing Disorders
• Epilepsy
• Cerebrovascular Disease
• Hyperkinetic Syndrome
• Personality Disorder
• Peripheral vascular Disease
• Learning Difficulties
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Skin Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Back Pain
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Deaf/Blind
• Haemodialysis
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse
• Neurological Diseases
• Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
• Total Parenteral Nutrition
• Frailty
• Arthritis
• AIDS
• Blood Disorders
• Malignant Disease
• Motor Neurone Disease
• Visual Disorders and Diseases
• Asthma
• Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
• Double Amputee

Attendance Allowance is also supporting 44,894 people with a terminal illness.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes it hard for you to look after yourself - it does not cover mobility needs. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim.

Who can claim?

You should apply for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you don’t currently get that help.

This might include:

Help with your personal care - for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet

Help to stay safe

You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn’t just for people with a physical disability or illness.

You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:

a mental health condition

learning difficulties

a sensory condition - if you are deaf or visually impaired

How do I make a claim?

You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. It might seem daunting at first but help is available from your nearest Citizens Advice, so don't let the form put you off applying.

If you'd prefer to do it yourself you can follow the Citizens Advice guide on how to fill in your claim form here. Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.

What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age?

If you are thinking about applying for Attendance Allowance when you reach State Pension age, you might be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away - you may be able to get more money.

Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?

You won't be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to pay for your care. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while getting DLA, the DWP will usually reassess your DLA award instead.

You can renew your PIP or DLA when the existing award ends as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Find out more about Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.