Millions of older Britons living with long-term medical conditions could be missing out on a vital government benefit worth over £450 a month. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) offers Attendance Allowance to individuals of State Pension age who require extra support or supervision due to a severe disability or illness. However, despite more than 1.7 million retirees currently receiving the financial lifeline, it is estimated that nearly a million eligible people are failing to claim.
The benefit is paid out at two different weekly tiers – £76.70 or £114.60 – depending on the level of daily or nightly care required. Because payments are made every four weeks, successful claimants will see regular deposits of either £306.80 or £458.40.
DWP data from August 2025 reveals that three-quarters of all claimants (around 1.3 million people) suffer from one of the following ten conditions that could potentially qualify them for the support, although having the condition does not necessarily mean someone is eligible.
To qualify, applicants must have reached State Pension age and demonstrate that their physical or mental health condition is severe enough that they have needed help caring for themselves – or someone to supervise them for safety reasons – for a minimum of six months. You’d need supervision for things like personal care, getting dressed and getting out of bed, during the day or at times during the night.
Those currently residing in a care home funded by their local authority generally cannot claim Attendance Allowance, though self-funding residents may still be eligible. Additionally, you cannot claim if you are already receiving similar disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
Retirees who believe they may qualify are strongly encouraged to consult the official eligibility criteria on the GOV.UK website.