The latest figures from Social Security Scotland show that at the end of August 2022, there were 125,279 people living in Scotland receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance. Across Great Britain, there are now more than 1.4 million people over State Pension age getting either £68.10 or £101.75 each week through the benefit, following the annual benefits uprating in April.
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit, delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), designed to help older people with daily living expenses and can also help them stay independent in their own home for longer. The data also revealed that 62 per cent of claimants in Scotland are female and 38 per cent are male with some 59 per cent aged over 80.
The most common disabling condition - an umbrella term used by the DWP to cover a multitude of health conditions - was arthritis (29%), followed by unknown (9%). Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint.
