Attendance Allowance is a financial support benefit provided to people over the State Pension age who need regular help or supervision due to illness or disability. It is a non-means-tested and non-contributory benefit, which means your income or savings do not affect eligibility or the payment amount.
Claimants do not need to have a carer to apply. Instead, eligibility is based on how much help you require with daily living due to your health condition.
Who Can Apply?
You may qualify for Attendance Allowance if you:
- Have a physical disability, mental disability, or serious health condition.
- Need personal care or supervision either during the day, night, or both.
- Have required such help for at least six months.
Rising Number of Claimants
According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), there were 1,859,539 Attendance Allowance cases in February 2025, compared to 1,839,318 in November 2024.
The increase followed an annual uplift in April 2025, when Attendance Allowance rose by 1.7%, in line with inflation from the previous September, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
How Much Can You Get?
The benefit is paid weekly at two different rates depending on the level of care needed:
| Rate | Eligibility | Monthly Amount (from April 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Rate | Frequent help or supervision during the day OR night | £295.60 |
| Higher Rate | Constant help day and night OR terminal illness certification | £441.60 |
Payments are made weekly but can be calculated monthly for clarity.
The 56 Health Conditions Covered by Attendance Allowance
The DWP lists 56 health conditions that can entitle people to Attendance Allowance. Below are the conditions with the number of claimants as of February 2025:
- Arthritis – 533,990
- Spondylosis – 21,382
- Back Pain (Unspecified) – 82,070
- Diseases of Muscles, Bones or Joints – 96,257
- Trauma to Limbs – 23,225
- Visual Disorders and Diseases – 55,167
- Hearing Disorders – 10,490
- Heart Disease – 135,639
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases – 113,567
- Asthma – 7,368
- Cystic Fibrosis – 118
- Cerebrovascular Disease – 81,883
- Peripheral Vascular Disease – 8,107
- Epilepsy – 3,749
- Neurological Diseases – 40,069
- Multiple Sclerosis – 3,707
- Parkinson’s Disease – 49,424
- Motor Neurone Disease – 784
- Chronic Pain Syndromes – 6,475
- Diabetes Mellitus – 22,063
- Metabolic Disease – 2,156
- Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia – 602
- Other Major Trauma – 2,194
- Learning Difficulties – 1,608
- Psychosis – 16,810
- Psychoneurosis – 13,088
- Personality Disorder – 209
- Dementia – 213,742
- Behavioral Disorders – 820
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse – 2,388
- Hyperkinetic Syndrome – 26
- Renal Disorders – 22,785
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease – 2,598
- Bowel and Stomach Disease – 7,749
- Blood Disorders – 1,589
- Haemophilia – 123
- Multi-System Disorders – 9,232
- Multiple Allergy Syndrome – 89
- Skin Disease – 3,621
- Malignant Disease (Cancer) – 65,140
- Severely Mentally Impaired – (unspecified cases)
- Double Amputee – (unspecified cases)
- Deaf/Blind – (unspecified cases)
- Haemodialysis – 327
- Frailty – 3,004
- Total Parenteral Nutrition – (unspecified cases)
- AIDS – 136
- Covid-19 – 882
- Other Viral Infections (unspecified) – 48
- Tuberculosis – 122
- Other Bacterial Infections (unspecified) – 47
- Protozoal Infections (Malaria/Other) – (unspecified cases)
- Other Infectious Diseases (unspecified) – 147
- Cognitive Disorders (unspecified) – 25,495
- Terminal Illness – 50,324
Conclusion
Attendance Allowance plays a crucial role in supporting older people with serious health conditions, ensuring they can manage care needs without worrying about income or savings. With 56 qualifying conditions and payments rising in line with inflation, more pensioners than ever are now eligible. Whether dealing with long-term illnesses such as dementia, arthritis, or heart disease, or requiring support due to terminal conditions, Attendance Allowance provides financial relief to millions across the UK.
FAQs
Do I need a carer to claim Attendance Allowance?
No, you don’t need to have a carer. Eligibility depends on how much help you need, not whether you currently have assistance.
How long must I have my condition before I can claim?
You must have needed care or supervision for at least six months before applying.
Can savings or income affect my Attendance Allowance?
No, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so savings and earnings do not impact your entitlement.