Social care and support guide

You can get a range of benefits if you're over 65 and you have an illness or disability. The extra money can help with the cost of your care. Check what benefits you can get and how to get them.

Attendance Allowance

What it is

Attendance allowance is for people over 65 who need help at home because of an illness or disability.

You could get:

• £57.30 a week if you need help either in the day or at night
• £85.60 a week if you need help both day and at night

You can get it if

You're over 65 and have a long-term illness or disability. It doesn't matter how much you earn or have in savings.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

What it is

A payment of up to £174.80 a week.

You can get it if

You're disabled because of an accident at work, or you have an illness that was caused by work.

You can't get it if

You were self-employed.

Constant Attendance Allowance

What it is

A payment for people who are ill or disabled because of specific circumstances. Payments range from £34.95 to £139.80 a week.

You can get it if

You receive Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or a War Disablement Pension and you need daily care because of a disability.

You can't get it if

You already get Attendance Allowance.

Other benefits for older people

If you get Attendance Allowance, you might be able to get some other benefits, or an increase in benefits, including:

• Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Reduction

You may also be entitled to:

• Help with NHS health costs
• Cold weather payments
• Winter Fuel payment

Check what benefits you can get

Do you have a carer?

If you get Attendance Allowance or another disability-related benefit and you have a carer, they may be able to get Carer's Allowance.

Get help and advice

Get expert benefits advice plus help filling in claim forms, from:

• Age UK. Call 0800 169 6565
• Independent Age. Call 0800 319 6789
• Citizens Advice. Call 03444 111 444

How to challenge a benefit decision

You can challenge a benefit decision if:

• your benefit payment is stopped
• your claim for a benefit is refused

Find out how to challenge a benefit decision