Hundreds of thousands of state pensioners across the UK could see their monthly income rise significantly to £1,423 from April 2026, thanks to a key benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
This potential boost is available to people over the state pension age of 66 who live with specific health conditions or disabilities. The increase hinges on successfully claiming Attendance Allowance, which is set to rise alongside the state pension next year.
How the £1,423 Monthly Figure is Calculated
The projected total combines two separate payments. First, the full new state pension is expected to increase to a higher weekly rate from April 2026. When calculated monthly, this forms the base of a pensioner's income.
The second component is the Attendance Allowance, a benefit designed to help with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you require supervision or frequent help throughout the day or night.
From next April, the higher rate of Attendance Allowance is anticipated to be £458.40 every four weeks. When this weekly amount is combined with the increased monthly state pension, it creates the potential total of £1,423 per month.
Eligibility and Claiming Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is paid at two different rates, and the amount received depends solely on the level of care required due to disability, not on whether you actually have a carer.
To qualify, you must usually have needed help for at least six months (unless you are terminally ill, in which case special rules apply). You must be in Great Britain when you claim, it must be your usual place of residence, and you must have lived in the UK for at least 2 of the last 3 years.
Critically, you cannot claim if you live in a local authority-funded care home or are in hospital. The benefit is also not means-tested, so your income and savings do not affect your eligibility.
Health Conditions Supported by the Benefit
The DWP supports a very wide range of health conditions and disabilities through Attendance Allowance. The key test is not the diagnosis itself, but how the condition affects your need for care or supervision.
Common qualifying conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Arthritis, back pain, and diseases of the muscles, bones or joints.
- Heart disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and other respiratory disorders.
- Neurological diseases like Parkinson's, Motor Neurone Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis.
- Diabetes, kidney (renal) disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Visual and hearing disorders, including being deafblind.
- Mental health conditions such as dementia, psychosis, and severe learning difficulties.
- Terminal illnesses, where claimants can access the higher rate immediately.
If you have a condition that means you need frequent help with personal care or supervision to stay safe, you may be eligible, even if you currently manage without a formal carer.
The upcoming changes present a significant opportunity for eligible pensioners to secure vital financial support. Experts advise those who think they may qualify to check the full criteria and consider making a claim to ensure they are receiving all the support available from the DWP.
