Pensioners on DWP disability benefit may be able to boost payment by £146 per month | Personal Finance | Finance

More than 1.7 million people across Great Britain are receiving Attendance Allowance, according to the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The benefit provides extra financial help for older people with a disability or long-term health condition, and some pensioners may be able to increase their award by reporting changes in their needs.

Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, is tax-free, and pays either £73.90 or £110.40 a week. Because it is usually paid every four weeks, this works out at £295.60 or £441.60 each time. In Scotland, the same payment rates apply to Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), the devolved benefit which has replaced Attendance Allowance for new and existing claims. PADP is administered by Social Security Scotland.

Attendance Allowance is intended to help older people meet daily living costs and remain independent in their own homes.

But some pensioners may be receiving less than they are entitled to, especially if their health has worsened since their award began.

The DWP says anyone whose condition has changed should report it as soon as possible.

Those on the lower rate of £73.90 could see their payments rise to the higher rate of £110.40. That increase adds £36.50 per week, or £146 more each month, Daily Record reports.

However, it is important to understand that Attendance Allowance can go up or down depending on the change reported.

You should tell the DWP if:

• the level of help you need has changed, including how often you need assistance
• you go into hospital or a care home – provide dates, address and how your stay is paid for
• a medical professional says you might have 12 months or less to live
• you leave the UK for more than four weeks
• you go into prison
• you change your name, address or bank details
• you want to stop receiving the benefit
• your doctor’s details change
• your immigration status changes (if you are not a British citizen)
  

You should think about reporting a change if you now need more support because of your condition, even if you are not currently getting that help from someone.

This could include:

• help with personal care such as dressing, eating, drinking, washing, or getting in and out of bed
• help to stay safe throughout the day
• finding personal tasks harder or more painful
• needing physical support, such as furniture to lean on

Attendance Allowance is not just for physical conditions. You should also consider reporting a change if you need extra help due to:

• a mental health condition
• learning difficulties
• a sensory condition, including deafness or blindness

The Attendance Allowance helpline is 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

More than 508,000 people receive Attendance Allowance for arthritis, making it the most common condition. But nearly 50 conditions are supported, and some pensioners may qualify due to worsening health or new difficulties.

Conditions include:

• Arthritis
• Spondylosis
• Back Pain
• Diseases of the muscles, bones or joints
• Trauma to limbs
• Blindness
• Deafness
• Heart disease
• Chest disease
• Asthma
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Epilepsy
• Neurological diseases
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s
• Motor neurone disease
• Chronic pain syndromes
• Diabetes
• Metabolic disease
• Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
• Major trauma
• Learning difficulties
• Psychosis
• Psychoneurosis
• Personality disorder
• Dementia
• Behavioural disorders
• 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
• Severe mental impairment
• Double amputee
• Deaf/blind
• Haemodialysis
• Frailty
• Total parenteral nutrition
• AIDS
• Terminal illness

You could receive:

• £73.90 per week if you need help during the day or at night
• £110.40 per week if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill

Payments are every four weeks, meaning either £295.60 or £441.60 per pay period.

You can spend the money however you choose. Many people use it for:

• taxis
• household bills
• help with cleaning or gardening
  

No. It is not means-tested, so savings and other income do not affect your claim.

It is tax-free, and you are exempt from the Benefit Cap.

It also does not affect your State Pension, and you can still receive it if you are working.

Some other benefits, such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, may increase once Attendance Allowance is awarded.

PADP only applies to people living in Scotland who are making a new claim.

Existing Attendance Allowance claimants should have been moved over in phases before the end of 2025.

You can apply for PADP if you:

• have reached State Pension age (currently 66)
• have had care needs for at least six months (or will have once the award starts)

You can still apply without a diagnosis, and there is a fast-track process for terminal illness.

You cannot receive PADP and Attendance Allowance at the same time.

Social Security Scotland handles transfers automatically – no action is required.

Help is available through the independent advocacy service VoiceAbility, funded by the Scottish Government.

Contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 to be referred.

More inforamtion can be found here.