57 Conditions That Qualify for Attendance Allowance

The 57 Conditions That Qualify for Attendance Allowance

The Department for Work and Pensions publishes data on the medical conditions of all 1.79 million Attendance Allowance claimants in Great Britain. These 57 conditions represent the “main disabling condition” recorded against each claim.

However, there is a critical point most people miss: having one of these conditions does not automatically qualify you. Attendance Allowance is awarded based on the care and supervision needs your condition creates – not the diagnosis itself. Two people with the same condition may get different outcomes depending on how well their needs are described.

Musculoskeletal Conditions

Neurological and Cognitive Conditions

Heart, Lung and Circulatory Conditions

Mental Health Conditions

Cancer, Blood and Immune Conditions

See also: Attendance Allowance for Cancer

Sensory, Digestive and Other Conditions

See also: Attendance Allowance for Diabetes

Other/Specialist Categories

Source: DWP Attendance Allowance caseload statistics, November 2025 (most recent published data). Total claimants: 1,793,554.

Why Having a Condition Is Not Enough

This is the part that trips most people up. You can have arthritis, dementia, heart disease, or any other condition on this list – and still be rejected if your application does not clearly demonstrate your care needs.

The DWP does not ask: “Do you have one of these conditions?” They ask: “What help do you need because of your condition, how often do you need it, and what would happen without it?”

This is why approximately 60% of self-completed applications are rejected. Not because the person is not eligible, but because their form describes the diagnosis without properly articulating the daily impact.

What the DWP Actually Looks For

Regardless of your condition, the DWP assesses two things:

1. Do you need help or have dificulty with personal care during the day? – Washing, dressing, eating, toileting, taking medication, or supervision to prevent harm (falls, wandering, leaving the cooker on)
2. Do you need help or supervision at night? – Getting to the toilet, being repositioned in bed, someone monitoring you for breathlessness, confusion, or seizures

If you meet the day-time condition only, you will receive the lower rate (£76.70/week). If you meet both day and night conditions, you will receive the higher rate (£114.60/week). The difference is nearly £2,000 per year.

The Most Common Mistake: Describing Diagnosis, Not Impact

Consider two people with the same condition – arthritis:

Same condition. Completely different outcome. Person B described what help they need, how often, how long it takes, and what happens without help.

Do You Need to Be on the List to Claim?

No. The 57 conditions are simply how the DWP categorises existing claimants in their statistics. There is no official “approved list” that restricts who can apply.

You can claim Attendance Allowance with any physical or mental health condition – or combination of conditions – as long as it means you need help with personal care or supervision. You do not even need a formal diagnosis. What matters is the impact on your daily life. See our full guide to conditions that may qualify for Attendance Allowance for more detail on specific conditions.

Why Professional Assessment Changes Everything

The challenge with Attendance Allowance is not whether your condition qualifies – it almost certainly does if you are reading this page. The challenge is translating your daily struggles into the specific language the DWP requires.

At Attendance Allowance Services, our HCPC-registered Occupational Therapists:

• Conduct a thorough clinical assessment of your care needs – covering every activity of daily living
• Identify needs you may not think to mention (especially supervision and night-time needs)
• Describe your needs using the precise frequency, duration, and consequence language the DWP requires
• Ensure night-time needs are captured to maximise your chance of the higher rate
• Complete the entire 32-page form on your behalf

Our success rate is 99%. The average annual award for our clients exceeds £4,300. And there is no fee unless you are awarded the benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 57 conditions that qualify for Attendance Allowance?

The DWP publishes statistics showing 57 categories of medical condition among current Attendance Allowance claimants. The most common are arthritis (522,638 claimants), dementia (204,946), heart disease (132,687), respiratory conditions including COPD (110,267), and cancer (63,292). However, any condition that causes you to need help with personal care or supervision can qualify – there is no restrictive list.

Do I need a diagnosis to claim Attendance Allowance?

No. You do not need a formal diagnosis. What matters is that you need help with personal care (washing, dressing, eating, toileting) or supervision to stay safe, and that you have needed this help for at least 6 months. You can apply even while still undergoing tests or waiting for a diagnosis.

Why do most Attendance Allowance applications get rejected?

Around 60% of self-completed applications are rejected – not because people are not eligible, but because the form does not clearly describe their care needs. The most common mistakes are being too vague, describing the diagnosis rather than the daily impact, forgetting night-time needs, and understating difficulties. Professional support from an Occupational Therapist dramatically improves success rates.

Can I claim Attendance Allowance for more than one condition?

Yes. The DWP assesses your total care needs across all conditions. If you have arthritis and depression, for example, both conditions contribute to your overall need for help. You should describe how all your conditions affect you – not just one.