Nearly 1.7 million State Pensioners across Great Britain are set to receive as much as £5,740 a year more from April. The change is part of an annual uprating exercise by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Those on Attendance Allowance – or Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) in Scotland – will see a 1.7 per cent increase in payments, while the New and Basic State Pensions are set to rise by 4.1 per cent.
Attendance Allowance and PADP, which are not means-tested, are currently valued at either £72.65 for the lower rate (rising to £73.90) or £108.55 for the higher rate (rising to £110.40) each week. As these benefits are typically paid every four weeks, this equates to either £290.60 (rising to £295.60) or £434.20 (rising to £441.60) per pay period.
The annual uprating could potentially add up to £5,740 to pensioners’ income for 2025/26, assisting with the additional costs of living independently at home with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition.
Attendance Allowance and State Pension are paid separately. Our calculation of £1,362 is based on someone receiving the full New State Pension and the higher rate of the disability benefit, reports the Daily Record.
From April 7, those on the full New State Pension will see their payments increase by £9.05 per week, from £221.20 to £230.25. As the payment is typically made every four weeks, this amounts to £921. The uplift will see annual payments rise by £473.60 from £11,502 to £11,973 over the 2025/26 financial year. However, it’s important to be aware that not all of the 4.1m people on the New State Pension receive the full amount as it is linked to National Insurance Contributions.
Those on the full Basic State Pension will see weekly payments rise by £6.95 per week from £169.50 to £176.45, or £705.80 every four-week payment period. Annual payments will increase by £361.40 from £8,814 to £9,175.40 over the 2025/26 financial year.
To check your own future State Pension payments, use the online forecasting tool on GOV.UK here.
If you live in one of the following areas, you cannot make a new claim for Attendance Allowance. However, you can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland.
- Aberdeen City
- Aberdeenshire
- Angus
- Argyll and Bute
- Clackmannanshire
- Dundee City
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Highland
- Moray
- Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles)
- Orkney and Shetland Islands
- Perth and Kinross
- Stirling or Ayrshire
PADP will replace Attendance Allowance for new and existing claimants living in Scotland only, by the end of 2025. Find out more here.
The amount someone receives for Attendance Allowance or PADP depends on the level of support needed. The benefit is designed to assist people of State Pension age with daily living expenses, which can also help them maintain independence in their own home for longer.
It’s crucial to note that neither Attendance Allowance nor PADP include a mobility component.
Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance and PADP
The health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance and PADP are listed below, based on data from the DWP’s Attendance Allowance computer system. PADP also caters to individuals with these conditions. However, this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance or PADP. It’s designed to provide an understanding of the types of conditions being supported. However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance for Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.
Main health conditions providing support to older people across Great Britain
- Renal Disorders
- Trauma to Limbs
- Psychoneurosis
- Behavioural Disorder
- Double Amputee
- Bowel and Stomach Disease
- Spondylosis
- Skin Disease
- Arthritis
- Peripheral vascular Disease
- Visual Disorders and Diseases
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases
- Infectious diseases: Viral disease – Coronavirus covid-19
- Learning Difficulties
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Personality Disorder
- Blood Disorders
- Haemodialysis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Frailty
- Total Parenteral Nutrition
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Heart Disease
- Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Metabolic Disease
- Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Severely Mentally impaired
- Neurological Diseases
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Malignant Disease
- Haemophilia
- Deaf/Blind
- Multiple Allergy Syndrome
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Hyperkinetic Syndrome
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
- Dementia
- Asthma
- Back Pain
- Multi System Disorders
- Hearing Disorders
- Cystic Fibrosis
- AIDS
- Epilepsy
- Psychosis
The guide below focuses on Attendance Allowance, but also applies to PADP. Full details about PADP can be fond on mygov.scot here.
So, what exactly is Attendance Allowance?
It’s a benefit that helps cover extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that it makes self-care difficult. However, it does not cater to mobility needs. You don’t need to have a carer to make a claim.
Who is eligible to claim?
If you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night – even if you’re not currently receiving that help – you should apply for Attendance Allowance. This could encompass:
- 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
You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn’t just for people 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 receive on Attendance Allowance?
PADP is paid at the same rate as Attendance Allowance. You could receive either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) each week. This equates to either £290.60 or £434.20 every pay period. The money can be spent however you wish and it could help you maintain your independence in your own 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 isn’t means-tested so your other income or the amount you have in savings doesn’t matter – there’s no limit. It is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won’t have money deducted from any other benefits.
Will my State Pension be impacted by Attendance Allowance?
No, your State Pension will not be affected by Attendance Allowance. You can even claim it while you’re still employed and earning.
How do I make a claim?
You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. It might seem daunting at first but help is available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age.
Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
How to claim PADP
You can apply online, over the phone, or by post for PADP. Full details can be found on mygov.scot here.
What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age?
If you are thinking about applying for Attendance Allowance when you reach State Pension age, you might be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away – you may be able to get more money.
If you live in Scotland, you should apply for Adult Disability Payment – find out more here.
Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?
You won’t be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to pay for your care. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while getting DLA, the DWP will usually reassess your DLA award instead.
You can renew your PIP or DLA when the existing award ends as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead. Find out more about Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.