Nearly 1.7 million pensioners are receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance.
Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible?
Nearly 1.7 million people over State Pension age across Great Britain, including 150,000 in Scotland, will receive up to £1,362 each month from this month as part of the annual uprating from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Social Security Scotland. Pensioners on Attendance Allowance – or Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) in Scotland – will receive a blend of old and new rates until next month.
Attendance Allowance and PADP are not means-tested and now worth either £73.90 for the lower rate or £110.40 for the higher rate each week and as the benefit is usually paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period.
The annual uprating could see pensioners add up to £5,740 to their 2025/26 income to help with the extra costs of living independently in their own home with a disability, long-term illness or physical or mental health condition.
READ MORE: State Pension payments of over £1,040 each month in these European countriesREAD MORE: Pensioners in Scotland no longer able to claim Attendance Allowance from next week
The full New State Pension is now worth £230.25 per week and as the payment is typically made every four weeks this amounts to £921. The uplift will see annual payments rise by £473.60 from £11,502 to £11,973 over the 2025/26 financial year.
However, it’s important to be aware that not all of the 4.1m people on the New State Pension receive the full amount as it is linked to National Insurance Contributions.
The full Basic State Pension is now worth £176.45 per week , or £705.80 every four-week payment period. Annual payments will rise by £361.40 from £8,814 to £9,175.40 over the 2025/26 financial year.
To check your own future State Pension payments, use the online forecasting tool on GOV.UK here.
It’s important to be aware that Scots pensioners can no longer claim Attendance Allowance from April 22 and will need to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland.
The benefit will replace Attendance Allowance for existing claimants living in Scotland only, by the end of 2025. Find out more here.
How much someone receives for Attendance Allowance or PADP 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 or PADP.
Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance and PADP
The conditions listed below are sourced from information recorded on the DWP’s Attendance Allowance computer system. PADP also supports people with these conditions.
However, it’s important to note this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance or PADP, 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 for Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.
Main health conditions providing support to older people across Great Britain
- Arthritis
- Spondylosis
- Back Pain
- Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
- Trauma to Limbs
- Visual Disorders and Diseases
- Hearing Disorders
- Heart Disease
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases
- Asthma
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Peripheral vascular Disease
- Epilepsy
- Neurological Diseases
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinsons Disease
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Metabolic Disease
- Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- 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
- Severely Mentally impaired
- Double Amputee
- Deaf/Blind
- Haemodialysis
- Frailty
- Total Parenteral Nutrition
- AIDS
- Infectious diseases: Viral disease – Coronavirus covid-19
The guide below focuses on Attendance Allowance, but also applies to PADP. Full details about PADP can be fond on mygov.scot here.
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 much could I get on Attendance Allowance?
PADP is paid at the same rate as Attendance Allowance. You could receive either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week.
You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer.
This might include:
- paying for taxis
- helping towards bills
- paying for a cleaner or gardener
Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income?
Yes. Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested so it doesn’t matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings either – there’s no limit. it is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won’t have money taken away from any other benefits.
Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension?
No, it won’t affect your State Pension and you can even claim it if you’re still working and earning money.
How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, these include:
- Extra Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit Reduction
- Council Tax Reduction
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 Citizens Advice and Independent Age.
Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
How to claim PADP
You can apply online, over the phone, or by post for PADP. Full details can be found on mygov.scot 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.
If you live in Scotland, you should apply for Adult Disability Payment – find out more here.
Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?
People living in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire, Clackmannanshire, Dundee City, Falkirk, Fife, Highland, Moray, Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles), Orkney and Shetland Islands, Perth and Kinross and Stirling, need to claim PADP from Social Security Scotland. You can do this here.
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.
