Older people with health issues could be due up to £1,362 each month from April

New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there are now 12.9 million people claiming the State Pensions, including over 1.1m in Scotland. Some 4.1m are on the New State Pension (post-April 2016) while 8.8m are receiving the Basic (or Old) State Pension (pre-April 2016).

The New and Basic State Pensions are set to rise in April by 4.1 per cent, under the earnings growth measure of the Triple Lock. However, many older people with long-term health issues may not be aware that if they claim Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), it could boost their monthly income to up to £1,362 from next April.

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While Attendance Allowance and the State Pension are paid separately, the 2025 uprating means that someone in receipt of the full New State Pension (£230.25 per week) and the higher rate of Attendance Allowance (£110.40 per week) will be due £1,362.60 every month.

It’s important to be aware that State Pensions can be paid weekly, fortnightly, or every four weeks and Attendance Allowance is paid every four weeks. The total figure is indicative of how much money someone on the full New State Pension and higher rate of Attendance Allowance would receive over the course of a month for both payments.

More than 1.6 million older people currently claiming Attendance Allowance will see payments rise by 1.7 per cent from April 7, 2025. This means payments will rise from £72.75 for the lower rate to £73.90 and from £108.55 to £110.40 for the higher rate.

The payment is tax-free, not means-tested and can help them remain independent in their own home for longer.

The full, New State Pension is currently worth £221.20 each week (£884.80 every 4-week pay period) and the Basic State Pension up to £169.50 (£678 every 4-week pay period) - how much you are paid depends on the amount of National Insurance contributions made.

The full, New State Pension will rise to £230.25 per week (£921 every four weeks) while the full Basic State Pension will rise to £176.45 per week (£705 every four weeks).

Below is an overview of the uprating on State Pensions and Attendance Allowance, with a guide to claiming the disability benefit for you, or someone you know who may be missing out.

Attendance Allowance

The annual uprating of 1.7 per cent will see Attendance Allowance claimants receive either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week during the 2025/26 financial year. This amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period.

The payments below are based on someone in receipt of the full, maximum rate of the New or Basic State Pension.

Full New State Pension 2025/26

Figures are based on someone in receipt of the full payment.

• Weekly payment: £230.25 (from £221.20)

• Four-weekly payment: £921 (from £884.80)

Full Basic State Pension 2025/26

Figures are based on someone in receipt of the full payment.

• Weekly payment: £176.45 (from £169.50)

• Four-weekly payment: £705.80 (from £678)

State Pension and Attendance Allowance combined income

Full New State Pension payments over a 4-week period:

• Full New State Pension and the higher rate of Attendance Allowance - £1,362.60 (£921 plus £441.60)

• Full New State Pension and the lower rate of Attendance Allowance - £1,216.60 (£921 plus £295.60)

Full Basic State Pension payments over a 4-week period:

• Full Basic State Pension and the higher rate of Attendance Allowance - £1,147.40 (£705.80 plus £441.60)

• Full Basic State Pension and the lower rate of Attendance Allowance - £1,001.40 (£705.80plus £295.60)

Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance

The conditions listed below are sourced from information recorded on the DWP’s Attendance Allowance computer system.

It’s important to note this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported. However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance on the GOV.UK website here.

Main health conditions providing support to older people across Great Britain

• Arthritis

• Spondylosis

• Back Pain

• Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints

• Trauma to Limbs

• Visual Disorders and Diseases

• Hearing Disorders

• Heart Disease

• Respiratory Disorders and Diseases

• Asthma

• Cystic Fibrosis

• Cerebrovascular Disease

• Peripheral vascular Disease

• Epilepsy

• Neurological Diseases

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Parkinson's Disease

• Motor Neurone Disease

• Chronic Pain Syndromes

• Diabetes Mellitus

• Metabolic Disease

• Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia

• Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia

• Learning Difficulties

• Psychosis

• Psychoneurosis

• Personality Disorder

• Dementia

• Behavioural Disorder

• Alcohol and Drug Abuse

• Hyperkinetic Syndrome

• Renal Disorders

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Bowel and Stomach Disease

• Blood Disorders

• Haemophilia

• Multi System Disorders

• Multiple Allergy Syndrome

• Skin Disease

• Malignant Disease

• Severely Mentally impaired

• Double Amputee

• Deaf/Blind

• Haemodialysis

• Frailty

• Total Parenteral Nutrition

• AIDS

• Coronavirus / covid-19

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance helps 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

• Help to stay safe

You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn’t just for people with a physical disability or illness.

You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:

• a mental health condition

• learning difficulties

• a sensory condition - if you are deaf or visually impaired

Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income?

Yes. Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested so it doesn't matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings either - there's no limit. it is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won't have money taken away from any other benefits.

Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension?

No, it won't affect your State Pension and you can even claim it if you're still working and earning money.

How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?

The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, these include:

• Extra Pension Credit

• Housing Benefit Reduction

• Council Tax Reduction

How do I make a claim?

You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. It might seem daunting at first but help is available from your nearest Citizens Advice, so don't let the form put you off applying.

If you'd prefer to do it yourself you can follow the Citizens Advice guide on how to fill in your claim form here. Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.

Full details on the new devolved payment - Pension Age Disability Payment - for Scots pensioners can be found here.

What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age?

If you are thinking about applying for Attendance Allowance when you reach State Pension age, you might be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away - you may be able to get more money.

Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?

You won't be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to pay for your care. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while getting DLA, the DWP will usually reassess your DLA award instead.

You can renew your PIP or DLA when the existing award ends as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Find out more about Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.