Older people with medical conditions are being urged to check whether they are entitled to extra financial support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Many pensioners may still be unaware of a Government benefit that can help them if their health condition is severely affecting them.

Attendance Allowance is a benefit that helps those of State Pension age with extra costs if they have a disability or a health condition severe enough that they need someone to help look after them. It is paid at two different rates, with the amount you get depending on the level of care your condition requires.

Figures from the DWP show that at the end of August 2025, more than 1.7 million older people were receiving Attendance Allowance. Those entitled to the benefit receive either £76.70 or £114.60 per week. The money is issued every four weeks, which translates to a total of £306.40 or £458.40 every payment period.

There are many conditions that could make you eligible for the Attendance Allowance benefit. However, figures have shown that arthritis is the most common condition for which pensioners receive the allowance. DWP figures show that more than half a million of the 1.7 million people who receive Attendance Allowance get it because of arthritis.

Below are the 10 conditions that account for 75% of those receiving Attendance Allowance. However, it is important to remember that the list is not a checklist for those claiming Attendance Allowance, but rather is intended to help people understand which conditions are supported, the Daily Record reports.

You can get Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached State Pension age and the following apply:

• be in Great Britain when you claim – there are some exceptions, such as members and family members of the armed forces
• have been in Great Britain for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
• be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands
• not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)
• not get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA) or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)

If you’re in a care home

You cannot usually get Attendance Allowance if you live in a care home and your care is paid for by your local authority. You can still claim Attendance Allowance if you pay for all your care home costs yourself.