State Pensioners with Back Pain Could Claim Extra £114 Weekly from DWP
Thousands of state pensioners experiencing severe back pain might be eligible for an under-claimed benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), offering over £114 per week in additional financial support. The DWP Attendance Allowance is designed to help cover extra costs for individuals who have reached State Pension age and have a disability or health condition requiring assistance with daily care.
Attendance Allowance Rates and Eligibility
For the 2026/27 financial year, the DWP pays out the Attendance Allowance at two rates. The higher rate is capped at £114.60 per week, an increase from £110.40 in 2025/26, while the lower rate is £76.70 per week, up from £73.90 previously. A person qualifies for the higher rate if they need help or supervision both during the day and at night, or if they are terminally ill. The lower rate applies if someone requires frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night.
Conditions covered by this benefit include long-term health issues like severe back pain, where assistance is needed for activities such as dressing or moving around the home. According to DWP data from February 2025, there were 1.9 million Attendance Allowance claimants across Great Britain, a rise of 140,000 from February 2024. Notably, the DWP reported that 120,000 people were entitled to the benefit but not receiving payment, highlighting a significant gap in uptake.
Key Points for Applicants
Applying for Attendance Allowance does not reduce any existing benefits and may even increase them. Eligibility extends to those who have reached State Pension age and have a physical or mental disability, including sensory impairments like blindness or learning difficulties. The health condition must be severe enough to require help with self-care or supervision for safety, and this need must have persisted for at least six months.
However, individuals cannot usually claim if they live in a care home with costs covered by their local authority. Those who pay for all their care home expenses themselves are still eligible to apply. This benefit aims to provide crucial financial relief for pensioners managing chronic health issues, ensuring they receive the support needed for daily living without impacting other benefits.
