The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has officially released a comprehensive list of 57 health conditions that could potentially qualify individuals for up to £110 per week through Attendance Allowance. This crucial financial support is designed for those over State Pension age who require assistance or supervision with personal care due to illness or disability.
Understanding Attendance Allowance Eligibility
Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit, meaning that your income or savings do not affect the amount you receive. It is specifically awarded to older individuals whose disability or health condition is severe enough to necessitate help with daily care. Importantly, you do not need to have an existing carer to make a claim.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Attendance Allowance, you must meet the following conditions:
- Have a physical disability, mental disability, or a recognised health condition.
- The disability or condition must be severe enough that you require help caring for yourself or need supervision.
- You must have needed this level of assistance for at least six months.
Current Statistics and Payment Rates
As of May 2025, the most recent data published by the DWP shows there were 1,876,682 cases of Attendance Allowance entitlement across the UK. This figure represents an increase of 37,364 cases compared to November 2024, when there were 1,839,318 cases.
Attendance Allowance rates are set to increase by 3.8% in April 2026. Each year, DWP benefits rise in line with the previous September's inflation rate, which was confirmed as 3.8% based on the consumer price index.
Payment rates vary depending on the level of support required, with two weekly rates available:
- Lower Rate: For those requiring frequent help or supervision during the day, or supervision at night.
- Higher Rate: For individuals needing help or supervision throughout both day and night, or those who have been confirmed as terminally ill by a medical professional.
Complete List of Qualifying Health Conditions
Below is the full list of 57 health conditions that qualified claimants for Attendance Allowance payments as of May 2025, along with the number of cases for each condition based on the main disabling condition:
- Arthritis – 541,802
- Dementia – 215,523
- Heart Disease – 137,134
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases – 115,188
- Unknown – 114,965
- Disease of the Muscles, Bones or Joints – 97,365
- Back Pain – other / unspecified – 83,360
- Cerebrovascular Disease – 82,105
- Malignant Disease – 65,675
- Visual Disorders and Diseases – 55,187
- Terminally Ill – 50,087
- Parkinson's Disease – 49,817
- Neurological Diseases – 40,827
- Cognitive disorder – other / unspecified – 25,533
- Renal Disorders – 23,473
- Trauma to Limbs – 23,389
- Diabetes Mellitus – 22,290
- Spondylosis – 21,876
- Psychosis – 16,693
- Psychoneurosis – 13,164
- Hearing Disorders – 10,513
- Multi-System Disorders – 9,334
- Peripheral Vascular Disease – 8,191
- Bowel and Stomach Disease – 7,898
- Asthma – 7,518
- Chronic Pain Syndromes – 6,663
- Epilepsy – 3,807
- Multiple Sclerosis – 3,730
- Skin Disease – 3,611
- Frailty – 2,759
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease – 2,658
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse – 2,373
- Major Trauma (non-paraplegic/tetraplegic) – 2,269
- Metabolic Disease – 2,188
- Learning Difficulties – 1,613
- Blood Disorders – 1,590
- Behavioural Disorder – 861
- Infectious diseases: Viral disease – COVID-19 – 840
- Motor Neurone Disease – 788
- Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia – 603
- Haemodialysis – 331
- Personality Disorder – 210
- Infectious diseases – other / unspecified – 153
- AIDS – 138
- Haemophilia – 127
- Infectious diseases: Bacterial disease – Tuberculosis – 123
- Cystic Fibrosis – 119
- Multiple Allergy Syndrome – 88
- Infectious diseases: Bacterial disease (unspecified) – 47
- Infectious diseases: Viral disease (unspecified) – 46
- Hyperkinetic Syndrome – 33
- Severely Mentally Impaired
- Double Amputee
- Deaf/Blind
- Total Parenteral Nutrition
- Infectious diseases: Protozoal disease – Malaria
- Infectious diseases: Protozoal disease – other / unspecified
Total – 1,876,682
This detailed breakdown highlights the wide range of health conditions that can qualify individuals for Attendance Allowance, providing essential financial support to those in need across the United Kingdom.
