If you’re over State Pension age and living with arthritis or joint pain, you could be missing out on up to £440 a month in extra support. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is calling on millions of pensioners to check if they qualify for a benefit called Attendance Allowance. Although over 484,000 people are already getting this payment due to arthritis, experts believe millions more could claim it—but haven’t yet.
Let’s break it down so you can see if you or a loved one might be eligible.
Benefit
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free, non-means-tested benefit. That means your income and savings won’t affect whether you get it. It’s aimed at people who’ve reached State Pension age and need help because of a physical or mental health issue.
And no, you don’t need a full-time carer. All you need to show is that your health condition affects your daily life and that you’ve needed help for at least six months.
Payments
Here’s how much you could get, depending on how much care you need:
| Attendance Allowance Rate | Weekly Payment | Monthly Equivalent (Every 4 Weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Rate | £72.65 | £295.60 |
| Higher Rate | £108.55 | £434.20 |
So, if you qualify for the higher rate, that’s nearly £440 per month—a serious boost for anyone dealing with ongoing medical costs.
Arthritis
Arthritis is the most common reason pensioners receive Attendance Allowance. It affects everything from walking and cooking to simply getting dressed.
Here are the typical pain areas linked to arthritis that may qualify:
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
- Shoulder pain
- Foot and ankle pain
- Wrist and finger pain
- Elbow and neck pain
More than 2.5 million people across the UK suffer from chronic joint or back pain daily. Yet many don’t know this benefit even exists.
Criteria
Wondering if you qualify? You must:
- Be of State Pension age
- Have a condition that affects your personal care or means you need supervision
- Have needed help for at least 6 months
- Not be claiming DLA or PIP
Again, you don’t need a carer. What matters is how your condition makes daily life more difficult.
Options
If you’re under the State Pension age but living with similar issues, other options are available:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – available across most of the UK
- Adult Disability Payment (ADP) – for people in Scotland
These serve the same purpose—helping with extra costs when illness or disability affects everyday life.
Applying
Ready to apply? Here’s how:
- Call the DWP helpline or visit GOV.UK to download the form
- Fill it in with clear, honest detail—especially about your worst days
- Add any supporting documents like GP notes or prescriptions
- Need help? Organisations like Citizens Advice are great for support
Take your time and be as detailed as possible. It could make all the difference.
Attendance Allowance is a powerful tool that’s still underused. If you or someone you care about is over State Pension age and facing health issues like arthritis, this benefit could ease the financial pressure. With no impact from income or savings and a simple application process, it’s well worth checking if you qualify.
FAQs
Who qualifies for Attendance Allowance?
Anyone over State Pension age needing help due to illness or disability.
Can I get Attendance Allowance without a carer?
Yes, a carer is not required to qualify for this benefit.
Is Attendance Allowance affected by savings?
No, it’s a non-means-tested benefit and ignores savings or income.
How much is the Attendance Allowance monthly?
It can be up to £434.20 every four weeks if you qualify.
How do I apply for Attendance Allowance?
Call DWP or download the form from GOV.UK and submit it.
