Overview
- Department for Work and Pensions figures show 1,735,589 people received Attendance Allowance at the end of February, including 1,459,541 in England, 155,210 in Scotland and 113,910 in Wales.
- Older people in Scotland now claim the devolved Pension Age Disability Payment, with Social Security Scotland reporting 44,885 recipients over 66 at the end of July.
- Payments are set at £73.90 or £110.40 per week and are usually paid every four weeks, equating to £295.60 or £441.60 per pay period and about £5,740.80 a year at the higher rate.
- Eligibility targets people at State Pension age who need help or supervision with daily living by day or night, and the benefit has no mobility component.
- The allowance is tax-free, not means-tested, does not affect State Pension and can increase entitlement to other support, with application help available from Citizens Advice and VoiceAbility for devolved Scottish claims.