Around 1.6 million people over the State Pension age are set to receive up to £1,362 each month from April. Those on Attendance Allowance will see a 1.7 per cent increase in payments, while the new and Basic State Pensions are due to rise by 4.1 per cent.
The Attendance Allowance, which is not means-tested, is currently valued at either £72.65 for the lower rate (rising to £73.90) or £108.55 for the higher rate (rising to £110.40) each week. As this benefit is typically paid every four weeks, it equates to either £290.60 (rising to £295.60) or £434.20 (rising to £441.60) per pay period.
This annual uplift could potentially add up to £5,740 to pensioners’ 2025/26 income, assisting with the additional costs of living independently at home with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition. From April, those on the full New State Pension will see a weekly increase of £9.05, from £221.20 to £230.25.
As this payment is usually made every four weeks, it amounts to £921. This uplift will result in an annual increase of £473.60, from £11,502 to £11,973, over the 2025/26 financial year.
However, note that not all of the 4.1 million people on the New State Pension receive the full amount as it is tied to National Insurance Contributions, reports the Daily Record.
Those receiving the full Basic State Pension will witness a weekly increase of £6.95, from £169.50 to £176.45, or £705.80 every four weeks. This means that annual payments will rise by £361.40 from £8,814 to £9,175.40 over the 2025/26 financial year.
To forecast your future State Pension payments, you can use the online tool available on GOV. UK.
Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance
- Epilepsy
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Multiple Allergy Syndrome
- Visual Disorders and Diseases
- Learning Difficulties
- Parkinsons Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Spondylosis
- Severely Mentally impaired
- Heart Disease
- Personality Disorder
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Skin Disease
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Arthritis
- Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Metabolic Disease
- Hearing Disorders
- Dementia
- Double Amputee
- Bowel and Stomach Disease
- Peripheral vascular Disease
- Psychosis
- Hyperkinetic Syndrome
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Malignant Disease
- Blood Disorders
- Multi System Disorders
- Total Parenteral Nutrition
- Asthma
- Back Pain
- Renal Disorders
- Behavioural Disorder
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Haemodialysis
- Deaf/Blind
- Haemophilia
- Neurological Diseases
- Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
- Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Psychoneurosis
- AIDS
- Infectious diseases: Viral disease – Coronavirus covid-19
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Frailty
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Trauma to Limbs
The amount received for Attendance Allowance depends on the level of support needed and the benefit is designed to help people of State Pension age with daily living expenses which can also help them stay independent in their own home for longer.
It’s important to be aware there is no mobility component attached to Attendance Allowance. However, officials say this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance.
It’s designed to help people comprehend the types of conditions that are supported. If you require additional support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should consult the official eligibility guidance for Attendance Allowance on the GOV. UK.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance assists with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes it hard for you to look after yourself. It does not cover mobility needs.
You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim.
Who can claim?
You should apply for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night – even if you don’t currently get that help.
This might 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.
If you’re struggling with personal tasks, such as needing physical support or experiencing pain, you should consider applying for Attendance Allowance. This benefit isn’t solely for those with a physical disability or illness.
It’s also applicable if you require assistance or supervision throughout the day or night due to mental health conditions, learning difficulties, or sensory conditions like visual impairment or deafness. The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is paid at the same rate as Attendance Allowance, which could be either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) per week, equating to £290.60 or £434.20 every pay period.
This money can be used however you wish, whether that’s for taxis, bills, or hiring a cleaner or gardener. Importantly, Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested, so your savings and other income won’t affect your eligibility.
Plus, it’s tax-free and exempt from the Benefit Cap, meaning it won’t reduce any other benefits you receive. Furthermore, claiming Attendance Allowance won’t impact your State Pension, and you can still claim it even if you’re working and earning money.
If you’re eligible for Attendance Allowance, it could also increase other benefits you receive. These include Extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit Reduction, and Council Tax Reduction.
You can find full details on how to get the application form by post or over the phone on the GOV.UK website. If you’re about to reach State Pension age and considering applying for Attendance Allowance, you might be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away – you may be able to get more money.