Pensioners with asthma, as well as other conditions, could be entitled up to £441 a month in additional finacial support. Those with the common health issue that also claim the state pension may qualify people for Attendance Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Recent DWP data shows that almost 1.7 million older Brits, including those with asthma, benefit from extra financial help through Attendance Allowance, as of August 2024. The cash is paid at two different rates, either £73.90 or £110.40 per week, equating to four-weekly payments of £295.60 or £441.60, respectively.
The amount of weekly payment depends on the level of care required. According to DWP rules, those needing "frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night" are eligible for the lower rate of £73.90, while those who need "help or supervision throughout both day and night, or a medical professional has said you're nearing the end of life" can claim the higher rate of £110.40.
The impact of asthma can vary from person to person, so the rate of Attendance Allowance a pensioner can claim will depend on how inhibited they are by it.
The following statistics represent the number of claimants per condition and the percentage receiving payments for five years or more. It's worth noting that people with lifelong, degenerative conditions unlikely to change will typically receive a longer award, while shorter awards are issued where an improvement is expected.
The figure below represents all claimants up until the end of August 2024.
- Arthritis - 47%
- Spondylosis - 48%
- Back Pain - Other / Precise Diagnosis not Specified - 43%
- Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints - 40%
- Trauma to Limbs - 36%
- Visual Disorders and Diseases - 41%
- Hearing Disorders - 42%
- Heart Disease - 50%
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases - 33%
- Asthma - 47%
- Cystic Fibrosis - 27%
- Cerebrovascular Disease - 42%
- Peripheral vascular Disease - 41%
- Epilepsy - 44%
- Neurological Diseases - 50%
- Multiple Sclerosis - 52%
- Parkinsons - 30%
- Motor Neurone Disease - 32%
- Chronic Pain Syndromes - 39%
- Diabetes Mellitus - 39%
- Metabolic Disease - 38%
- Traumatic Paraplegia - 54%
- Major Trauma Other than Traumatic/Paraplegia - 45%
- Learning Difficulties - 48%
- Psychosis - 44%
- Psychoneurosis - 38%
- Personality Disorder - 48%
- Dementia - 20%
- Behavioural Disorder - 28%
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse - 37%
- Hyperkinetic Syndrome - 27%
- Renal Disorders - 26%
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease - 42%
- Bowel and Stomach Disease - 37%
- Blood Disorders - 39%
- Haemophilia - 39%
- Multi System Disorders - 41%
- Multiple Allergy Syndrome - 44%
- Skin Disease - 37%
- Malignant Disease - 35%
- Haemodialysis - 22%
- Frailty - 100%
- AIDS - 47%
- Coronavirus covid-19 - 1%
- Viral disease - precise diagnosis not specified - 13%
- Tuberculosis - 53%
- Bacterial disease - precise diagnosis not specified - 43%
- Cognitive disorder (other) - 22%
Applying for Attendance Allowance might seem intimidating due to the extensive claim form. However, help is readily available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age.
Detailed instructions on how to get the application form by post or phone can be found on the GOV.UK website.
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