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Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit designed to assist individuals with disabilities or severe health conditions in managing their daily living expenses.
As of August 2024, nearly 1.7 million older individuals are claiming this benefit, including 150,000 in Scotland.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance provides financial support for those over State Pension age who require assistance with personal care or supervision due to a physical or mental disability, or long-term illness. The benefit is available at two levels:
- Lower rate: £73.90 per week
- Higher rate: £110.40 per week
This benefit is not means-tested, meaning your income or savings do not affect eligibility. Payments are made every four weeks, which amounts to £295.60 or £441.60 per pay period, totaling £5,740.80 for the 2025/26 financial year.
However, Attendance Allowance does not cover mobility needs. It’s intended to assist with daily living expenses, helping individuals maintain independence at home for longer.
Changes to Attendance Allowance in Scotland
As of the recent changes, Scottish residents are no longer eligible for Attendance Allowance. Instead, they must apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment, which is administered by Social Security Scotland.
The eligibility criteria and payment structure are similar to the DWP’s, and further information is available on MYGOV.SCOT.
Number of Attendance Allowance Claimants (August 2024)
Here is a breakdown of Attendance Allowance claimants as of August 2024:
| Region | Number of Claimants |
|---|---|
| England | 1,406,281 |
| Scotland | 149,997 |
| Wales | 110,047 |
| Living Abroad | 5,912 |
| Total | 1,672,590 |
Conditions Supported by Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance supports individuals suffering from a wide variety of conditions, including:
- Arthritis (affecting 483,376 people in Great Britain)
- Spondylosis (affecting 48% of claimants)
- Back Pain (affecting 43% of claimants)
- Heart Disease (affecting 50% of claimants)
The benefit also supports individuals with conditions such as Parkinson’s, Epilepsy, Dementia, and many others. It’s important to note that the list of conditions supported is for guidance and not a strict checklist.
Special rules exist for those with terminal illnesses, allowing for a quicker application process.
Eligibility Criteria for Attendance Allowance
To qualify for Attendance Allowance, individuals must have a physical or mental condition that requires help during the day or night. The types of support include:
- Personal care: Help with tasks like bathing, dressing, eating, or using the toilet.
- Supervision: Help to stay safe, even if the person doesn’t currently receive assistance.
How Much Could You Receive?
The amount of Attendance Allowance you receive depends on the level of care and supervision you need:
- Lower Rate: £73.90 per week
- Higher Rate: £110.40 per week
These amounts can be used in any way that helps you maintain independence, such as paying for:
- Taxi fares
- Cleaning or gardening services
- Bills
Impact of Savings and Income on Attendance Allowance
One of the benefits of Attendance Allowance is that it is not means-tested. Therefore, it doesn’t matter how much income or savings you have—this will not affect your eligibility.
Additionally, the benefit is tax-free and will not impact your State Pension or other benefits.
How Does Attendance Allowance Affect Other Benefits?
Claiming Attendance Allowance can increase other benefits you receive, such as:
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit Reduction
- Council Tax Reduction
Making a Claim for Attendance Allowance
To apply for Attendance Allowance, you will need to fill out a claim form. While it may seem daunting, help is available through Citizens Advice. You can also access detailed guidance on how to complete the form on the GOV.UK website.
When to Claim Attendance Allowance
If you’re approaching State Pension age, you might want to consider Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead of Attendance Allowance, as it may offer higher financial support.
If you already receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or PIP, applying for Attendance Allowance may require a reassessment of your existing benefits.
Who Cannot Claim Attendance Allowance?
- Residents of Scotland must claim the Pension Age Disability Payment instead.
- Those already receiving PIP or DLA cannot claim Attendance Allowance.
Attendance Allowance provides critical support to individuals aged State Pension and above who need help with personal care or supervision.
While the benefit is not means-tested, it can significantly improve the quality of life for recipients by covering daily living costs.
However, eligibility criteria and application processes can vary, so it’s essential to check the official guidelines.
FAQs
Can I receive Attendance Allowance if I am still working?
Yes, Attendance Allowance is not affected by your employment status, and it will not reduce your State Pension.
How do I claim Attendance Allowance if I live in Scotland?
If you live in Scotland, you must apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment via Social Security Scotland.
Is Attendance Allowance available to those under State Pension age?
No, Attendance Allowance is only available to individuals who have reached State Pension age.