As reported by the Daily Record, this benefit, which isn’t means-tested and is exempt from taxation, amounts to either £73.90 or £110.40 weekly. Since the benefit is generally paid out on a four-weekly basis, claimants collect either £295.60 or £441.60 per payment cycle.

These rates equally apply to Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), the devolved benefit administered and paid by Social Security Scotland, which has now replaced all new and current Attendance Allowance applications in Scotland.

Those whose health has worsened or who have acquired further medical conditions since receiving their original award may find it worthwhile to inform the DWP of these changed circumstances – especially if they’re presently on the lower payment tier.

It’s essential to act promptly on this matter, as notifying authorities of alterations to your health status may lead to enhanced payments for people currently on the standard rate. It should also be highlighted that under DWP regulations, should your situation change, your Attendance Allowance entitlement could either rise or fall.

For those presently receiving the lower rate of £73.90 weekly, payments could climb by £36.50 to reach the higher rate of £110.40. This represents a monthly boost of £146, elevating your payments from £295.60 to £441.60.

The regulations additionally outline various scenarios in which claimants should inform the department regarding changes to their personal circumstances whilst in receipt of Attendance Allowance.

This includes if:

• The level of help you need or your condition changes – you’ll need to provide details like if the amount of times you need help each day has changed
• You go into hospital or a care home – you’ll need to provide the address, the dates you’ve been there for, and how your stay is paid for
• A medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live
• You leave the country for more than 4 weeks
• You go into prison
• You change your name, address or bank details
• You want to stop receiving your benefit
• Your doctor’s details change
• Your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen

Reporting a change if you need more help

You should consider contacting the DWP to report a change if you feel you need more help for a disability or illness. This could be additional help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you do not currently get that help.

This could 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 consider reporting a change if you are experiencing more difficulties completing 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. But remember, Attendance Allowance is not just for people with a physical disability or illness.

You should also consider reporting a change if you need more help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:

• A mental health condition

• Learning difficulties

• A sensory condition – if you are deaf or blind

You can contact the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. Full details about reporting a change can be found on the GOV.UK website here.

The most common condition claimed on Attendance Allowance is arthritis with some 508,964 people receiving support for it.

However, there are nearly 50 conditions being supported by Attendance Allowance and even if you’re already claiming for one of these, another may have developed or your current condition may have become more debilitating.

Health issues supported by Attendance Allowance

Support is also provided for People who are terminally ill.

• Arthritis
• Spondylosis
• Back Pain – Other / Precise Diagnosis not Specified
• Disease 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 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
• Terminally ill

How much could I get on Attendance Allowance?

You could receive £73.90 if you need help during the day or at night or £110.40 if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks , which means you could receive either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period.

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