As highlighted by the Daily Record, Attendance Allowance is typically paid every four weeks, equating to either £295.60 or £441.60 per pay period – a total of around £5,740.80 over the current financial year.

The amount received depends on the level of support required, with the benefit designed to assist those of State Pension age with daily living costs, thereby enabling them to maintain their independence at home for longer. It’s crucial to note that there is no mobility component linked to Attendance Allowance.

In terms of supporting people with health conditions, the benefit aids those with disabilities, long-term illnesses, and mental or physical health issues.

A wide range of conditions are supported through Attendance Allowance, but arthritis is the most common disabling condition – a term used by the DWP – providing assistance for 483,376 people across Great Britain.

It’s vital to understand that this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance, but rather it serves to help people comprehend what types of conditions are being supported.

If you require additional support throughout the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, it’s worth checking the official eligibility guidance on the GOV.UK website here.

The following figures illustrate 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%
• Behavioural 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%

It’s worth noting that there are special rules for those with a terminal illness to speed up their application – full details can be found on GOV.UK.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a benefit designed to assist with additional costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that it hinders your ability to care for yourself – it does not cater for mobility needs. It’s important to note that having someone caring for you is not a prerequisite for making a claim.

Who is eligible?

If you have a disability or illness and require help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night – even if you’re not currently receiving that help, you should consider applying for Attendance Allowance.

This could encompass:

• Assistance with personal care – such as getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and using the toilet
• Help to ensure your safety

You should also consider applying if you struggle with personal tasks, for instance, if they take you a long time, cause you pain, or if you need physical support, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn’t exclusively for individuals with a physical disability or illness.

You should also apply if you require 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 receive from Attendance Allowance?

You could be entitled to either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week. This equates to either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period.

The money can be spent however you wish and it could aid you in maintaining your independence in your own home for longer.

This might include:

• Covering taxi fares
• Contributing towards bills
• Paying for a cleaner or gardener

How do I make a claim?

To apply for Attendance Allowance, you’ll need to fill out a lengthy claim form. It may seem intimidating at first, but assistance is available from your local Citizens Advice, so don’t let the form deter you from applying.

If you’d rather handle it yourself, you can follow the Citizens Advice guide on how to complete your claim form here. Comprehensive instructions on how to obtain the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.

Changes to Attendance Allowance in Scotland

Elderly residents in Scotland can no longer claim Attendance Allowance and instead, must apply for the new devolved benefit, Pension Age Disability Payment. Recent statistics from Social Security Scotland reveal that some 1,875 individuals over 66 were receiving Pension Age Disability Payments at the end of April.

The benefit follows the same eligibility criteria and payment award scale as DWP, but is administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland. Full details on the benefit can be found on MYGOV.SCOT here.