Approximately 1.5 million elderly people, benefitting from the Attendance Allowance scheme, are about to witness a significant increase in their income as the disability benefit amplifies by 6.7 percent next week. Moreover, the New and Basic State Pensions are set to go up by 8.5 per cent, courtesy of the annual uprating by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Although both the Attendance Allowance and the State Pension have separate payout methods, their combined boost means that the ones claiming the full New State Pension and the higher rate of Attendance Allowance will receive £1,319 every four weeks. It is pivotal to understand how these benefits are disbursed every four weeks, resulting in a total of 13 payments throughout the fiscal year.

Likewise, those receiving the maximum Basic State Pension can expect to earn £169.50 per week from April. When paired with the higher rate of Attendance Allowance, this totals to £1,112 every four weeks.

Following is a brief overview of how the uprating on State Pensions and Attendance Allowance works and how to secure this disability benefit for someone who might be excluded from its benefits unknowingly.

Attendance Allowance uprating from April 2024

Recipients of Attendance Allowance who are over the State Pension age currently receive either £68.10 (lower rate) or £101.75 (higher rate) weekly. With the benefit usually paid on a four-week rotation, this adds to either £272.40 or £407 each payment period, which roughly estimates to £5,291 across the 2023/24 financial year.

The 6.7% uprating will result in the claimants of Attendance Allowance receiving either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) each week. This roughly translates to either £290.60 or £434.20 every pay period, estimating to £5,644.60 over the 2024/25 fiscal year.

New and Basic State Pension uprating from April 2024

The following calculations are based on a person receiving the full, maximum rate of the New or Basic State Pension.

Full New State Pension from April 2024

  • Weekly rate 2024/25: £221.20 (increase from £203.85)
  • Four-week pay period: £884.80 (increase from £815.40)

Full Basic State Pension from April 2024

  • Weekly rate 2024/25: £169.50 (increase from ££156.20)
  • Four-week pay period: £678 (increase from £624.80)
Over 15 million people above State Pension age are availing the benefits of Attendance Allowance. (Image: Getty Images)

Combined income of State Pension and Attendance Allowance

Full New State Pension payments over a 4-week period:

  • Full New State Pension and the higher rate of Attendance Allowance – £1,319 (£884,80 plus £434.20)
  • Full New State Pension and the lower rate of Attendance Allowance – £1,175.40 (£884.80 plus £290.60)

Full Basic State Pension payments over a 4-week period:

  • Full Basic State Pension and the higher rate of Attendance Allowance – £1,112.20 (£678 plus £434.20)
  • Full Basic State Pension and the lower rate of Attendance Allowance – £968.60 (£678 plus £290.60)

If you are a resident of Glasgow and wish to know more about the Attendance Allowance, read the following.

What is Attendance Allowance?

The Attendance Allowance scheme currently helps over 1.5 million elderly people across Great Britain to cope with the additional living expenses associated with a physical or mental health condition, disability, or long-term illness. This includes 136,252 residents of Glasgow. A large number of people who qualify for this benefit may not be claiming it due to inadequate knowledge about it.

Who can apply?

You should consider applying for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and necessitate help or supervision throughout the day or at times at night. This is applicable even if you are not receiving that help currently.

Types of help may include:

  • Support with your personal care – for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and using the toilet.

  • Support to ensure personal safety.

You should also consider applying if you have problems performing personal tasks, for example, if they take longer than usual, cause pain, or you need physical support, like leaning on a chair. The Attendance Allowance is not limited to people with a physical disability or illness.

You should also consider applying if you require help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:

  • a mental health issue,

  • learning difficulties, or

  • a sensory condition – if you are deaf or blind.

You can find out more about Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website by clicking here.

What is the payout of Attendance Allowance?

You could receive either £68.10 or £101.75 per week based on the care level you require due to your condition. These payments are made every four weeks amounting to £272.40 and £407 respectively. With the annual DWP benefits uprating, these payouts are set to rise to £72.65 for the lower rate and £108.55 for the higher rate from April 8.

These payouts can be spent however you want and can aid you to sustain your independence at your home for a longer period.

These funds could be used for:

  • purchasing taxi rides,

  • helping pay your bills, or

  • paying for a cleaner or gardener.

Can I still claim my benefits if I have savings and other forms of income?

Absolutely. As the Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested, your other income sources and savings do not affect your eligibility to claim. This means your savings and other income sources have no upper limit.

Additionally, it’s tax-free, and you’ll be exempt from the Benefit Cap, which ensures that no money is deducted from any other benefits you claim.

Does Attendance Allowance impact my State Pension?

No, it won’t affect your State Pension, and you can even claim it if you’re still employed and earning money.

You can read more about Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website by clicking here.