Brits could potentially increase their monthly payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by up to £146. If you’re currently receiving Attendance Allowance, it’s worth investigating if you’re eligible for the maximum amount.

The latest figures from the DWP indicate that as of February 2025, over 1.7 million people across Great Britain were benefiting from additional financial support through Attendance Allowance. This benefit is not means-tested, it’s tax-free and valued at either £73.90 or £110.40 per week.

Given that this allowance is usually paid every four weeks, this translates to either £295.60 or £441.60 per payment cycle. These rates also apply to Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), a devolved benefit managed and provided by Social Security Scotland, which has now assumed responsibility for all new and existing claims for Attendance Allowance in Scotland.

Managed by the DWP, Attendance Allowance is designed to help older people with daily living expenses, potentially allowing them to maintain their independence at home for an extended period.

For those whose health may have worsened, or who have developed additional health issues since their award was granted, it might be advantageous to notify the DWP of a change in circumstances – especially if they are on the lower rate.

As highlighted by the Daily Record, it’s vital not to procrastinate in reporting any alterations in your health status, as this could potentially lead to an increase in payments for those currently on the standard rate. It’s important to remember that according to DWP guidelines, if your situation changes, the amount you receive from Attendance Allowance may either rise or fall.

If you’re presently receiving the lower rate of £73.90 per week, your payments could see a boost of £36.50, elevating it to the higher rate of £110.40. As a result, monthly payments would see an increase of £146, shifting from £295.60 to £441.60.

The guidance also lists several reasons why you should get in touch with them about a change in your circumstances if you are claiming Attendance Allowance.

These include:

• Alterations in the level of aid you require or your health condition – you’ll need to supply specifics such as if the frequency of assistance you require daily has changed
• Admission into hospital or a care home – you’ll need to provide the address, the dates of your stay, and how your stay is financed
• A medical professional has indicated you might have 12 months or less to live
• Departing the country for more than four weeks
• Imprisonment
• Changes in your name, address or bank details
• Choosing to cease receiving your benefit
• Changes in your doctor’s details
• Changes in your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen

Assistance with claiming Attendance Allowance

If you require additional support due to a disability or illness, it may be beneficial to contact the DWP to report a change. This could relate to extra help or supervision throughout the day or during certain periods at night, even if you’re not currently receiving such support.

This might encompass:

• Help with personal care – for example, dressing, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and using the toilet
• Support to ensure safety

You should also consider reporting a change if you’re experiencing increased difficulties in performing personal tasks, such as if they take up a lot of time, cause discomfort, or require physical support like a chair to lean on. However, remember that Attendance Allowance isn’t exclusively for individuals with a physical disability or illness.

You should also report a change if you require additional assistance or supervision throughout the day or night due to:

• A mental health condition
• Learning difficulties
• A sensory condition – such as being deaf or blind

The Attendance Allowance helpline can be contacted on 0800 731 0122, from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm. Detailed information about reporting a change can be found on the GOV.UK website here.

Arthritis is the most prevalent condition claimed for under Attendance Allowance, with around 508,964 people receiving support for it.

However, nearly 50 conditions are covered by Attendance Allowance, and even if you’re already receiving support for one of these, another may have developed or your existing condition may have worsened.

Health conditions eligible for Attendance Allowance

These include:

• Arthritis
• Spondylosis
• Unspecified Back Pain
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Limb Trauma
• Blindness
• Deafness
• Heart Disease
• Chest Disease
• 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 excluding Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
• Learning Difficulties
• Psychosis
• Psychoneurosis
• Personality Disorder
• Dementia
• Behavioural Disorder
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse
• Hyperkinetic Syndrome
• Renal Disorders
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Gastrointestinal Disease
• Blood Disorders
• Haemophilia
• Multi-System Disorders
• Multiple Allergy Syndrome
• Skin Disease
• Malignant Disease
• Severe Mental Impairment
• Double Amputee
• Deaf/Blind
• Haemodialysis
• Frailty
• Total Parenteral Nutrition
• AIDS
• Terminal Illness

How much could I potentially receive with Attendance Allowance?

You might be entitled to £73.90 if you need help during the day or night, or £110.40 if you require assistance both during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks, meaning you could receive either £295.60 or £441.60 per payment cycle.

The funds can be used as you deem appropriate and could help in preserving your independence within your own home for a longer period.

This could include:

• Covering taxi costs
• Contributing towards bills
• Hiring a cleaner or gardener

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