The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed a full list of nine bone conditions that qualify state pensioners for Attendance Allowance of up to £114 per week. This benefit is designed to help individuals who require assistance due to physical or mental disabilities, including sensory impairments or learning difficulties.
Attendance Allowance Rates
The higher rate of Attendance Allowance is £114 per week. It is awarded to state pensioners who need help or supervision throughout both day and night, or to those whom a medical professional has certified as nearing the end of life. The lower rate stands at £76 per week. If your care needs change, the amount you receive may be adjusted accordingly.
List of Qualifying Bone Conditions
The DWP has identified nine bone-related conditions that can make pensioners eligible for this allowance:
- Arthritis – This is the most common condition, with approximately 500,000 claimants.
- Disease of the Muscles
- Disease of the Bones
- Disease of the Joints – Together with muscle and bone diseases, these account for around 97,000 claims.
- Back Pain (other/unspecified) – Responsible for 83,000 claims.
- Trauma to Limbs – Accounts for 24,000 claims.
- Spondylosis
- Frailty
- Double Amputee
When to Contact the DWP
It is essential to inform the DWP if your circumstances change, as this may affect your benefit amount. You should contact them if:
- The level of help you need changes, such as the frequency of assistance required each day.
- You are admitted to hospital or a care home. Provide the address, dates of stay, and details of how your stay is funded.
- A medical professional indicates you may have 12 months or less to live. Under the special rules for end of life, you could receive the higher rate.
- You enter a care home for more than four weeks, especially if the funding arrangement changes (e.g., you start or stop receiving funding from the NHS or local council).
Staying informed about these conditions and the eligibility criteria can help ensure that pensioners receive the financial support they need.
