DWP paying pensioners with these conditions up to £441 a month | Personal Finance | Finance
The latest Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures show there were almost 1.7m older people claiming Attendance Allowance at the end of August 2024. Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit which is not means-tested.
Those in receipt of it either receive the lower rate of £73.90 a week, or the higher rate of £110.40 per week, and the benefit is typically paid every four weeks – so either £295.60 or £441.60 per pay period.
The amount received depends on the level of support required, and the benefit is intended to assist those of State Pension age with daily living expenses, potentially enabling them to maintain their independence at home for longer. 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, as reported by the Daily Record.
The list of conditions supported through Attendance Allowance is long, though arthritis is the most common disabling condition, as defined by the DWP, providing support for 483,376 people across the UK. It’s important to note that the below list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported.
If you require additional assistance during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check the eligibility criteria on the Gov.uk website.
The following figures represent the percentage of people claiming for health issues related to these 48 conditions:
- Arthritis – 47%
- Spondylosis – 48%
- Back Pain – Other / Precise Diagnosis not Specified – 43%
- Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints – 40%
- Trauma to Limbs – 36%
- Visual Disorders and Diseases – 41%
- Hearing Disorders – 42%
- Heart Disease – 50%
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases – 33%
- Asthma – 47%
- Cystic Fibrosis – 27%
- Cerebrovascular Disease – 42%
- Peripheral vascular Disease – 41%
- Epilepsy – 44%
- Neurological Diseases – 50%
- Multiple Sclerosis – 52%
- Parkinsons – 30%
- Motor Neurone Disease – 32%
- Chronic Pain Syndromes – 39%
- Diabetes Mellitus – 39%
- Metabolic Disease – 38%
- Traumatic Paraplegia – 54%
- Major Trauma Other than Traumatic/Paraplegia – 45%
- Learning Difficulties – 48%
- Psychosis – 44%
- Psychoneurosis – 38%
- Personality Disorder – 48%
- Dementia – 20%
- Behavioral Disorder – 28%
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse – 37%
- Hyperkinetic Syndrome – 27%
- Renal Disorders – 26%
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease – 42%
- Bowel and Stomach Disease – 37%
- Blood Disorders – 39%
- Haemophilia – 39%
- Multi System Disorders – 41%
- Multiple Allergy Syndrome – 44%
- Skin Disease – 37%
- Malignant Disease – 35%
- Haemodialysis – 22%
- Frailty – 100%
- AIDS – 47%
- Coronavirus covid-19 – 1%
- Viral disease – precise diagnosis not specified – 13%
- Tuberculosis – 53%
- Bacterial disease – precise diagnosis not specified – 43%
- Cognitive disorder (other) – 22%
What exactly is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance assists with additional costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes self-care difficult – it does not cover mobility needs. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to apply.
Who is eligible?
Attendance Allowance should be applied for if you have a disability or illness and require assistance or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night – even if you are not currently receiving that help.
This may include help with personal care, such as getting dressed, eating or drinking, or getting in and out of bed. It also may include help to stay safe at home.
You should also apply if you struggle with personal tasks, for instance, if they take a long time, cause pain or require physical support, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn’t solely for individuals 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.
