benefits

Attendance Allowance UK: Who Qualifies, How Much You Get, and How to Apply

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Attendance Allowance is a tax-free, non-means-tested benefit for people aged 65 or over who have a disability or health condition that means they need help with personal care or supervision. It's currently worth £72.65 or £108.55 per week (2025/26) — potentially £5,644 per year. Despite being relatively easy to claim, an estimated 800,000+ people who are eligible for Attendance Allowance don't receive it. It can also act as a passport to other valuable entitlements including Pension Credit, council tax discounts, and Carer's Allowance for a carer.

What Is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance (AA) is a benefit for people with disability or health problems who have reached State Pension age (currently 66) and need personal care or supervision. It is not means-tested (your income and savings don't affect eligibility), it is tax-free (it doesn't count as income for tax purposes), and it doesn't have to be spent on care — it can be used as the recipient wishes. It's administered by the DWP and paid every 4 weeks directly into your bank account. You don't need a formal care package, diagnoses from specialists, or to be in receipt of any other benefit to claim. You simply need to show that your condition means you need help, even if that help is currently provided informally by family.
  • •For people aged 66+ with disability/health conditions
  • •Tax-free and non-means-tested
  • •No requirement to have a formal care package
  • •Paid every 4 weeks by DWP
  • •Does not reduce your State Pension or other income

The Two Rates of Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance has two rates — lower and higher — based on the level of care and supervision needed. The lower rate (£72.65/week in 2025/26) applies if you need help or supervision either during the day OR at night. The higher rate (£108.55/week in 2025/26) applies if you need help or supervision both during the day AND at night, or if you are terminally ill with a life expectancy of under 12 months (in which case you automatically qualify at the higher rate under 'special rules' and receive it quickly). The 'care need' for the purpose of the claim includes personal care (dressing, washing, eating), supervision to prevent danger, and prompting due to cognitive impairment. You don't need to be receiving this care from someone — just showing that you need it.
  • •Lower rate: £72.65/week — help needed either day OR night
  • •Higher rate: £108.55/week — help needed both day AND night
  • •Terminal illness (under 12 months): automatic higher rate via 'special rules'
  • •Care need includes: personal care, supervision, prompting due to dementia etc.
  • •You don't need to be currently receiving care — just need it

How to Apply for Attendance Allowance

Request an Attendance Allowance claim form from the DWP (Attendance Allowance helpline: 0800 731 0122) or download it from GOV.UK. The form is long and detailed — it asks for your personal information, your GP/medical team details, and a detailed description of how your condition affects you on a bad day. This last part is where many people undersell their needs by describing a 'good day' or a typical day. The advice from experienced welfare benefit advisers is always to describe your worst days, or an average of bad days, not your best. You have a right to get help completing the form from your local Citizens Advice, Age UK, or an independent benefits adviser.
  • •Request form: Attendance Allowance helpline 0800 731 0122 or GOV.UK
  • •Describe your worst or average bad days — not your best
  • •Get help completing: Age UK, Citizens Advice, local welfare rights service
  • •Include all health conditions — even ones that seem minor
  • •Ask your GP/consultant to provide supporting evidence if possible

What Attendance Allowance Unlocks

Beyond the payment itself, receiving Attendance Allowance can trigger other valuable entitlements. If you receive Pension Credit, AA can mean you get the 'severe disability premium' added to it. It may also increase the level of Housing Benefit you receive. A family member or friend caring for you for 35+ hours/week may become eligible for Carer's Allowance — and the associated NI credits — which they might not have claimed before. Councils are also permitted to provide council tax discounts to households where someone receives Attendance Allowance (though this is discretionary). Always report AA to the DWP and your local council when you start receiving it.
  • •Pension Credit: severe disability premium may be added
  • •Housing Benefit: may increase
  • •Carer's Allowance: your carer may now be eligible
  • •Council tax: discretionary discount may apply
  • •Always notify DWP and local council when you start receiving AA

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim Attendance Allowance if I'm in a care home?+

You can only receive AA in a care home if you pay your own fees (self-funding). If the local authority or NHS funds your care home place, AA is not payable (with some exceptions).

Does Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension?+

No — AA is completely separate from the State Pension and does not reduce it.

I was turned down for AA — can I appeal?+

Yes — first ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration, then appeal to an independent tribunal if necessary. Many initial decisions are overturned on appeal, especially with additional medical evidence.

My relative needs care but won't claim — what can I do?+

You can help them complete the form or contact local Age UK or Citizens Advice on their behalf. Many older people underestimate their needs or feel they're 'not bad enough' — the form adviser can help them describe the real impact.

#attendance allowance#disability benefits uk#older age benefits#care benefits

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