Attendance Allowance (AA)
You can get Attendance Allowance (AA) if you’re over the State Pension age (currently 66 years old) and need help with personal care because of a health condition or disability. This includes physical and mental illnesses.
You could apply for AA if your lung condition means that you need help with personal care needs, for example:
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washing and bathing
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dressing and undressing
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going to the toilet
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eating and drinking.
You do not need to have a carer to get AA, but you must have had care or supervision needs for at least six months.
Citizens Advice has more information about AA, including how to apply and how much you could get. They can also help you with your AA application.
Winter Fuel payment
A Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free payment to help you with your heating costs. You could get between £200 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025. The amount of money you will receive depends on the year you were born and your circumstances.
You may get a Winter Fuel Payment if:
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you were born before 23 September 1958, and
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you live in England or Wales, and
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you get one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
If you’re eligible, you should be paid automatically between November and December. If you’re eligible but do not receive any money, you can make a claim. The deadline to make a claim this winter is 31 March 2025.
The extra Pensioner Cost of Living Payment given in 2022 and 2023 has now ended. You will not receive this payment in 2024, even if you’re eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.
Help with transport costs
An older person’s bus pass lets you travel for free on buses. If you live in England you can get an older person’s bus pass when you reach State Pension age (currently 66 years old). If you live in London, you can travel on buses, tubes and other transport for free when you are 60.
In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland you can get an older person’s bus pass when you’re 60.
We have more information about transport schemes, including advice about getting a Blue Badge and public transport discounts.
State Pension
The State Pension is a payment you can claim when you reach State Pension age. The State Pension age is different for everybody, depending on what year you were born in. You can use the government’s website to find out your State Pension age.
Citizens Advice has more information about the State Pension, including how to claim it and how much you can get.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is extra money to help with your living costs. You can claim it if you’re over the State Pension age and have a low income.
Find out more about Pension Credit in England, Scotland and Wales.
Find out more about Pension Credit in Northern Ireland.
Get support
Call or WhatsApp our helpline for support with your condition. Get advice on your medicines, symptoms or travelling with a lung condition, or just call us to say hello.
