The 48 health conditions that could get extra £434 from the DWP every month

More than 1.6 million elderly people in the UK are receiving extra financial support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through Attendance Allowance . The benefit is worth either £72.

65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) per week. It is typically paid every four weeks, which amounts to either £290.



60 or £434.20, or up to £5,644.60 a year.

The amount someone receives depends on the level of support they need. Attendance Allowance is designed to help people of State Pension age with daily living costs so that they can maintain their independence in their own home for longer. There is no mobility component attached to Attendance Allowance.

READ MORE: Prince William 'determined to give his family childhood he never got' Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here . Attendance Allowance supports people with a disability, long-term illness, and mental or physical health conditions, Mirror reports. More than 40 conditions are supported through the benefit.

The most commonly claimed disabling condition - a term used by the DWP - is arthritis, providing support for 460,993 people across Great Britain. The list of conditions is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance but rather a guide to help people understand what conditions are supported. If you require additional assistance during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should consult the official eligibility guidance on the GOV.

UK . Here's everything you need to know about Attendance Allowance, including the main health conditions claimed for, eligibility, and how to make a claim. Number of Attendance Allowance claimants - February 2024 England - 1,352,651 Scotland - 143,724 Wales - 106,096 Living abroad - 5,615 Total - 1,608,134 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 Parkinsons 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 Infectious diseases: Viral disease - Coronavirus covid-19 What is Attendance Allowance? Attendance Allowance assists 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 can 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 If you struggle with personal tasks and it takes a long time, causes pain or requires physical assistance like leaning on a chair, you should apply.

Attendance Allowance is not just for individuals 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 How much could I get on Attendance Allowance? You could receive either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.

55 (higher rate) each week. This comes to either £290.60 or £434.

20 every pay period. The cash can be spent however you wish and could assist you in maintaining your independence at home for longer. This might include paying for taxis; helping towards bills; paying for a cleaner or gardener.

Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income? Yes. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so it does not 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 will not impact your State Pension and you can claim if you are still working and earning money. How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits? You might also be eligible for other benefits, such as Extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit Reduction, and Council Tax Reduction. How to claim? You have to fill out a claim form.

Assistance is available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age . Full instructions on how to obtain the application form by post or phone can be found on GOV. UK.

What if you're nearing State Pension age? If you are thinking about applying for Attendance Allowance at State Pension age, it might be better to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) immediately - you could potentially receive more money. Who's not eligible for Attendance Allowance? If you are already receiving PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to cover your care costs, you will not be eligible for Attendance Allowance. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while receiving DLA, the DWP will typically reassess your DLA award instead.

You can renew your PIP or DLA when the current award ends, provided you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful, you can then apply for Attendance Allowance. For more information about Attendance Allowance, visit the GOV.

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