Attendance Allowance may be raised by £331 monthly under the latest Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) guidance that takes effect on 7 April 2025. From that date the disability addition inside Pension Credit rises from £81.50 to £82.90 per week, worth £331.60 every four weeks to anyone who already receives Attendance Allowance, the middle or higher care component of DLA, the daily-living component of PIP, Adult Disability Payment in Scotland, or AFIP.
Although the core Attendance Allowance rates stay at £73.90 (lower) and £110.40 (higher) a week, understanding how those payments “passport” you to a bigger Pension Credit award is crucial. The guide below blends plain-English explanations with data, examples, and practical steps so that both a 10-year-old and a professional welfare adviser can follow the process confidently.
Attendance Allowance May Be Raised By £331 Monthly
| Key Highlights | Data & Links |
|---|---|
| Start date | 7 April 2025 |
| New disability addition | £82.90 pw / £331.60 every 4 weeks |
| Attendance Allowance rates (2024-25) | Lower £73.90, Higher £110.40 |
| Pension Credit guarantee level | Single £227.10 pw · Couple £346.60 pw |
| Official sources | https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance • https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit |
| Professional angle | Welfare-rights advisers, Age UK, Citizens Advice in demand |
Attendance Allowance is valuable on its own, but from April 2025 it unlocks an even bigger prize: an extra £331.60 every month through the uprated Pension Credit disability addition. Checking eligibility takes minutes, and the potential reward—over £4,300 a year plus linked benefits—can transform a tight retirement budget into a more comfortable one. Use the official calculator, keep good records, and seek expert advice if you hit a snag. The money is there to help you live with confidence. Claim now, don’t leave money unclaimed. Every eligible pensioner deserves this support.
What Is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested, tax-free benefit for people over State Pension age (currently 66) who need help with personal care or supervision because of a long-term illness or disability. There is no mobility element. You do not need someone already caring for you; the test is whether help would be reasonably required to keep you safe.
Rates 2024-25
- Lower rate £73.90 – need help in the day or at night.
- Higher rate £110.40 – need help day and night, or are terminally ill.
Example: Mrs Patel, 70, needs help dressing each morning. She claims the lower rate and pockets £73.90 a week, tax-free.
According to DWP statistics (Feb 2024) 1.7 million people are entitled to Attendance Allowance across Great Britain.
Pension Credit and the New £331 Top-Up
Guarantee Credit at a Glance
Pension Credit tops up low retirement income. The Guarantee Credit lifts weekly income to £227.10 for a single person and £346.60 for a couple (2024-25 figures).
The Disability Addition
If you or your partner receives a qualifying disability benefit, an extra sum is added to the Guarantee Credit:
Until 6 April 2025 £81.50 a week
From 7 April 2025 £82.90 a week → £331.60 every pay period
Because Attendance Allowance is ignored as income in the means-test, many claimants who think they are “too well off” actually pass the calculation once that income is stripped out.
Case study: Mr Johnson, 68, gets the higher Attendance Allowance rate (£110.40) plus a basic State Pension of £185.15. His counted income is only £185.15. Guarantee Credit boosts that to £227.10 then adds the £82.90 disability amount, giving him £82.90 a week (or £4,311 a year) extra.
Am I Eligible?
Tick all four boxes to qualify for the £82.90 weekly boost:
- Aged 66 or over.
- Get a qualifying disability benefit – Attendance Allowance, DLA (mid/high care), PIP (daily living), Adult Disability Payment, or AFIP.
- Low enough counted income/savings to trigger Guarantee Credit. Savings below £10,000 are ignored; above that, every £500 reduces entitlement by £1 a week.
- Habitually resident in Great Britain and not excluded by immigration rules.
Residents in Scotland who move onto Pension Age Disability Payment keep the same passporting rights.
Carer’s addition: If someone claims Carer’s Allowance for looking after you, Pension Credit can add £46.40 a week (2025-26 rate) on top.
How to Claim in Three Straightforward Steps
1. Check Quickly Online
Use the Pension Credit calculator to run your figures. Have bank balances, pension pay slips, and your Attendance Allowance award letter handy.
2. Apply
- Online: log into Government Gateway at https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit.
- Phone: 0800 99 1234 (Mon–Fri, 8-6).
- Post: ask for form PC1 or download it.
You can request back-dating up to three months if you would have qualified earlier.
3. Await the Decision
DWP writes with a full breakdown. Payment’s land into your bank every four weeks. Report any change of circumstances straight away.
Other Benefits You Can Unlock
Claiming Pension Credit is a gateway to a raft of extra help:
- Housing Benefit or Support for Mortgage Interest
- Council Tax Reduction
- Free NHS dental care, eye tests and travel to hospital
- Free TV licence once you turn 75
- Warm Home Discount (£150 off power bill) and Cold Weather Payments
- Social tariffs on broadband and some water bills
For many households these extras are worth more than the cash top-up itself.
Common Mistakes – and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Quick Fix |
|---|---|
| Assuming Attendance Allowance income disqualifies you | It is fully disregarded in the means test |
| Forgetting small private pensions or rental income | List every penny on the form; DWP will cross-check |
| Missing the three-month back-date window | Mark the “back-date” box or state the date on the phone |
| Not reporting a hospital stay over 28 days | Tell both Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit units |
If your claim is refused, ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month; appeal to an independent tribunal if still unhappy.
Budgeting the Extra £331 Effectively
- Cover essentials first – energy, food, housing.
- Set aside a mini emergency fund (up to £1,000 is ignored for benefit purposes).
- Plan for big annual costs like car insurance or boiler servicing with a monthly standing order.
- Improve quality of life – a haircut, hobby class, or visiting grandchildren can beat loneliness and promote health.
A simple envelope or spreadsheet system works wonders: label envelopes “Bills”, “Food”, “Savings”, “Fun”.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is Attendance Allowance itself going up in 2025?
No. Only the Pension Credit disability addition is rising; the Attendance Allowance rates stay £73.90 / £110.40 until the next April uprating.
Q2. I own my home outright – can I still claim?
Yes. Owner-occupiers can receive Pension Credit; equity in your home is ignored.
Q3. I have £12,000 savings. Am I disqualified?
No. The first £10,000 are ignored; the extra £2,000 count as £4 income per week, which is factored into the calculation.
Q4. Do I have to spend the disability addition on care?
No. It is an unconditional cash payment—spend or save it as you wish.
Q5. Where can I get free help filling in the forms?
Contact Age UK, Citizens Advice, or your local council’s welfare-rights unit. They can also attend tribunal hearings with you.
