Overview
- DWP figures show almost 1.8 million pensioners received Attendance Allowance in February 2025, with guidance outlining 48 covered conditions and 43,295 claims under terminal illness rules.
- Payments are set at £73.90 or £110.40 per week, typically paid every four weeks as £295.60 or £441.60.
- Eligibility requires having reached State Pension age and needing help with personal care for at least six months, and the benefit is not means-tested.
- Arthritis is the most common primary disabling condition among claimants, with 449,077 people receiving the allowance for it, and the DWP stresses the list is indicative rather than a checklist.
- Applications are made by posting the GOV.UK form to the Attendance Allowance Unit in Wolverhampton or by requesting a paper form via the 0800 731 0122 helpline, with guidance available from Citizens Advice.