State pensioners living with certain common health conditions could qualify for weekly payments of up to £114.60 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help cover additional care costs.
The support is provided through Attendance Allowance, which is available to people who have reached State Pension age and whose health condition means they need help with personal care or supervision. It is paid at two rates, depending on the level of assistance required. In the 2026 to 2027 tax year, the lower rate is £76.70 a week, equivalent to £3,988.40 a year, while the higher rate is £114.60 a week, or £5,959.20 annually.
Attendance Allowance can be claimed by people of State Pension age in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, eligible pensioners can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), which is paid at the same rates. The lower rate applies to people who need frequent help or supervision during the day, or supervision at night. The higher rate is available to those who need assistance or supervision during both the day and night, as well as people who have been told by a medical professional that they may be approaching the end of life.
There is no definitive list of medical conditions that automatically qualifies someone for Attendance Allowance. However, the DWP records a range of disabling conditions on its Disability Living Allowance computer system, including the nine common health conditions highlighted below.
Having one of these conditions could mean you are eligible for up to £114.60 a week from the DWP. However, the list is not a qualifying checklist; it is intended only as a guide to the types of conditions for which support may be available.
