Those aged 66 or over who suffer from one of two common conditions are being encouraged to check if they are eligible for additional money through the Government. Pensioners who face muscle or joint pain could receive payments of up to around £441 a month through the Attendance Allowance benefit, administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The allowance assists with extra expenses for those who have a disability or health condition severe enough that it requires someone else to help care for them. The allowance has two different rates, with the amount depending on the level of care the individual’s condition requires. The scheme is only open to individuals with muscle or joint pain who are of the State Pension age (66 for both men and women) or older.

Under the benefit, people can be entitled to £73.90 or £110.40 a week, per the Manchester Evening News.

The allowance is not influenced by savings or income and is paid every four weeks.

Individuals on the lower rate will receive around £295 every pay period, while those on the higher rate will get approximately £441.

Arthritis is the most common condition claimed for on Attendance Allowance, with almost 484,000 pensioners receiving payments for it, according to figures.

More than 74,800 claim support for muscle, joint, and back pain, which is more prevalent in older people.

According to the Daily Record, some 2.5 million Britons experience back pain daily, and many may not realise they could be entitled to financial support to help with any potential extra costs associated with the condition.

Meanwhile, 20 million people are estimated to be suffering from arthritis or similar joint conditions.

More than 1.7 million people in total are receiving payments through Attendance Allowance, data from the DWP shows.

People do not need a carer in order to make a claim.

According to the Government’s website, you are eligible for the Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached State Pension age and the following apply:

• Your disability or health condition is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety

• You have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example, blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or a health condition

• You have needed that help for at least 6 months

You must also:

• Have been in Great Britain for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)

• Not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)

• Be in Great Britain when you claim – there are some exceptions, such as members and family members of the armed forces

• Be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

• Not get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP) or Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA)