Senior citizens with health issues are being encouraged to investigate potential additional financial aid from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It’s possible that many retirees remain unaware of a specific government benefit designed to assist those whose medical conditions significantly impact their daily lives.
The benefit in question, known as Attendance Allowance, is available to individuals of State Pension age who incur extra expenses due to a disability or health condition that requires them to have someone assist with their care. It offers two payment rates, determined by the extent of care necessitated by the individual’s health condition.
According to DWP statistics, as of the end of August 2025, over 1.7 million older adults were beneficiaries of Attendance Allowance. Eligible recipients receive either £76.70 or £114.60 weekly, with payments disbursed every four weeks, equating to £306.40 or £458.40 per payment cycle.
A wide array of conditions may qualify someone for Attendance Allowance, but data indicates arthritis as the most prevalent condition among recipients. The DWP notes that over 500,000 of the 1.7 million beneficiaries receive the allowance due to arthritis.
Here are the 10 medical conditions responsible for 75% of Attendance Allowance claims. This list is not meant to serve as a definitive guide for eligibility but aims to inform individuals about the conditions that are typically supported, according to the Daily Record.
Eligibility for Attendance Allowance requires having reached State Pension age, in addition to meeting certain other criteria:
- be in Great Britain when you claim – there are some exceptions, such as members and family members of the armed forces
- have been in Great Britain for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
- be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands
- not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)
- not get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA) or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
If you’re in a care home
You cannot usually get Attendance Allowance if you live in a care home and your care is paid for by your local authority. You can still claim Attendance Allowance if you pay for all your care home costs yourself.
