State Pension provides essential financial support for nearly 12.5 million older people across the UK, including 981,399 living in Scotland and more than one million expats abroad. This regular payment is available for those who have reached the UK Government’s eligible retirement age, which is now 66 for both men and women, and have paid at least 10 years’ worth of National Insurance Contributions.
However, many older people may not be aware of a benefit only available to those of State Pension age, even if they live outside the UK. Attendance Allowance is a payment of either £247.40 or £369.60 every four weeks, delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), to help older people with the extra costs of living with a health condition.
The benefit is currently providing financial support to 1,403,754 people across Great Britain, including 123,786 in Scotland and 4,136 living abroad. The latest figures from DWP show that in May 2022, arthritis was the most common condition being supported through Attendance Allowance, followed by dementia.
You may be able to claim the benefit if you live in certain countries within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) - you can check the list on GOV.UK here.
Many more people could be entitled to Attendance Allowance but may not know enough about it to make a claim. Full details on claiming disability benefits abroad, whether that’s a temporary or permanent situation, can be found on GPV.UK here.
Attendance Allowance conditions claimed by older people living abroad - May 2022
- Arthritis - 1,053
- Unknown condition - 536
- Dementia - 388
- Cerebrovascular Disease - 254
- Heart Disease - 253
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases - 216
- Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints - 201
- Back Pain / Precise Diagnosis not Specified - 185
- Malignant Disease - 175
- Parkinson’s Disease - 115
- Diabetes Mellitus - 109
- Visual Disorders and Diseases - 92
- Trauma to Limbs - 87
- Neurological Diseases - 88
- Renal Disorders - 52
- Spondylosis - 47
- Psychosis - 45
- Terminally Ill - 34
- Multiple Sclerosis - 23
- Psychoneurosis - 20
- Cognitive disorder / precise diagnosis not specified - 17
- Peripheral vascular Disease - 13
- Multi System Disorders - 12
- Asthma - 12
- Chronic Pain Syndromes - 11
- Hearing Disorders - 11
- Bowel and Stomach Disease - 11
- Epilepsy - 10
- Frailty - 8
- Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia / Tetraplegia - 7
- Motor Neurone Disease - 6
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse - 6
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease - 5
- Metabolic Disease - 5
- Traumatic Paraplegia / Tetraplegia - 5
- Total: 4,136
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance helps 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 should 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
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 get on Attendance Allowance?
You could receive £61.85 if you need help during the day or at night or £92.40 if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill.
The benefit is paid every four weeks , which means you could receive either £247.40 or £369.60 every pay period. You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent 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 it doesn't 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 won't affect your State Pension and you can even claim it if you're still working and earning money.
How do I make a claim?
You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. Full details of how to do this while living abroad can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
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