Attendance Allowance is one of the most valuable benefits for people over State Pension age, and one of the most overlooked. Many people assume it is only for those who are seriously ill, or that their savings will rule them out. Neither is true.
If you have a health condition or disability that makes everyday tasks harder, it is worth checking whether you qualify. It could be worth up to £5,959 a year, and it can unlock extra help from other benefits too.
Quick answer: Attendance Allowance is a weekly payment for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of an illness or disability. It is not means-tested, it is not taxable, and you do not need to have a carer to claim. From April 2026 it pays £76.70 or £114.60 a week.
In this guide
- What Attendance Allowance is
- How much you can get in 2026/27
- Who qualifies
- How to claim
- Tips for filling in the form
- How it boosts other benefits
- Claiming if you are nearing the end of life
- Scotland and Northern Ireland
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It helps with the extra costs of having a physical disability, a mental health condition, a learning difficulty or another health condition that means you need help looking after yourself.
It is based on the help you need, not on your diagnosis. Two people with the same condition can get different results, depending on how it affects their day.
A few things surprise people:
- You do not need a carer. What matters is that you need help, not whether someone is already giving it.
- Your savings and income do not count. It is not means-tested.
- It is not taxable and it does not reduce your State Pension.
- You can spend it on anything. A cleaner, taxis, a higher heating bill, meals, a personal alarm: it is your money.
It does not cover mobility needs on their own. If you only struggle with getting around outside, Attendance Allowance is unlikely to help, but most claims are about care needs at home.
How much is Attendance Allowance in 2026/27?
There are two rates. From April 2026 they rose by 3.8%:
- Lower rate: £76.70 a week (up from £73.90). This is for people who need frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night.
- Higher rate: £114.60 a week (up from £110.40). This is for people who need help or supervision both day and night, or who have been told by a medical professional that they are nearing the end of life.
Over a year, that is about £3,988 at the lower rate and £5,959 at the higher rate. It is paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.
Who qualifies for Attendance Allowance?
You can usually get Attendance Allowance if:
- you have reached State Pension age
- you have a physical or mental disability, or a health condition, serious enough that you need help looking after yourself or someone to watch over you for your safety or someone else’s
- you have needed that help for at least 6 months (this rule does not apply if you are nearing the end of life)
- you are in Great Britain when you claim and have lived here for at least 2 of the last 3 years (there are exceptions, for example for refugees)
- you are not already getting Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment
What counts as needing help?
Think about the things you find difficult, slow, painful or unsafe to do on your own. For example:
- washing, bathing or showering
- getting dressed or undressed
- using the toilet, or managing incontinence
- eating, drinking or cutting up food
- taking medication at the right time
- getting in and out of bed, or moving around the house
- needing someone nearby because of falls, dizziness, confusion or memory problems
- needing help or checks during the night
If you manage these things but only slowly, with pain, or with a real risk of falling, that can still count.
What about care homes?
You can usually still claim if you pay all of your care home fees yourself. If your local council pays towards your care home costs, you normally cannot get Attendance Allowance.
How to claim Attendance Allowance
You can claim in three ways:
- Online through the DWP service on GOV.UK. Your claim starts on the day you apply.
- By post, by printing the claim form from GOV.UK. Your claim starts the day DWP receives it. Send it to “Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance”. You do not need a stamp or postcode.
- By phone, by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) to ask for a form. If you return it within 6 weeks, your claim starts from the date of your call.
Before you start, have these to hand:
- your National Insurance number
- your GP surgery details
- details of your condition and any medication
- details of any hospital, hospice or care home you are staying in
You should hear from DWP within 3 weeks telling you when to expect a decision. Occasionally, if it is unclear how your condition affects you, you may be asked to attend an assessment with a medical professional, but most claims are decided on the form and supporting evidence.
If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration. Many refused claims are changed at this stage, so it is worth challenging a decision you think is wrong.
Tips for filling in the form
The paper form is long, and the way you fill it in makes a big difference. Some practical tips:
- Describe your bad days. Do not write about your best day. Explain what happens on a typical day and how often bad days come.
- Keep a diary for a week or two before you claim. Note every time you needed help, how long it took and what happened.
- Say how long things take. If getting dressed takes 40 minutes and leaves you exhausted, say so.
- Mention the risks. Falls, near misses, forgetting medication or leaving the cooker on all matter.
- Add evidence, such as letters from your GP, consultant, occupational therapist or a carer who knows you well.
- Get free help. Age UK and Citizens Advice can help you fill in the form at no cost.
Be wary of anyone who offers to fill in the form for a fee. The help is available free, and you should never hand over bank details to a stranger who contacts you about benefits. Our guide to avoiding scams in retirement explains the warning signs.
How Attendance Allowance boosts other benefits
Getting Attendance Allowance can open the door to more money, which is one reason it is so valuable.
- Pension Credit: if you get Pension Credit, you could get an extra £86.05 a week (the severe disability addition), as long as certain conditions are met. For example, no one should normally be paid Carer’s Allowance for looking after you. If you are not getting Pension Credit yet, read our guide to Pension Credit: Attendance Allowance can sometimes help you qualify.
- Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction: you could get more help with rent and council tax.
- Carer’s Allowance: if someone spends at least 35 hours a week caring for you, they may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance once you get Attendance Allowance.
If you already claim any of these, tell the office that pays them once your Attendance Allowance is awarded, so they can recalculate.
Claiming if you are nearing the end of life
There are special rules if a doctor or medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live:
- you get the higher rate of £114.60 a week
- you do not have to wait 6 months
- there is no face-to-face assessment
- someone else can claim on your behalf, even without your permission
Ask your doctor, nurse or consultant for form SR1. They can either give it to you or send it straight to DWP. If you already get the lower rate and your situation changes, call the helpline straight away to move to the higher rate.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
If you live in Scotland, Attendance Allowance has been replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment, which you apply for through Social Security Scotland. If you move from England or Wales to Scotland, your Attendance Allowance stops 13 weeks after you move, so apply for the Scottish benefit as soon as you can.
If you live in Northern Ireland, you claim Attendance Allowance through nidirect rather than GOV.UK.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a diagnosis to claim?
No. The decision is based on how your condition affects you and the help you need, not on a particular diagnosis.
Will my savings stop me getting Attendance Allowance?
No. It is not means-tested, so your savings, income and property do not affect it.
Does my partner’s income matter?
No. It is a personal benefit based only on your own care needs.
Can I get it if I live alone and nobody helps me?
Yes. You need to show that you need help, not that you already get it.
Do I have to tell anyone if my condition changes?
Yes. Report changes to DWP, for example if your care needs increase or decrease, or if you go into hospital or a care home.
If your health is changing, it is also worth making sure someone you trust can manage your affairs. Read our guide to Lasting Power of Attorney.
Final thoughts
Attendance Allowance is worth checking even if you think you are “managing”. Many people only realise they qualify after a fall or a hospital stay, when they could have been claiming for years. If a parent, partner or friend is struggling, it is worth mentioning to them too.
For an overview of the other support you might be entitled to, see our guide to UK retiree benefits and the retirement benefits you might be missing out on. If you are planning ahead for care, our article on planning for healthcare costs in retirement is a good next read.
