Attendance Allowance: Don't Pay to Apply
Published on 02 July 2025 01:06 PM
We’ve been made aware of online advertisements offering to help people apply for Attendance Allowance - for a fee of up to £600.
We want to be absolutely clear: You do not need to pay for this help.
Our experienced team provides this for free.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision due to illness or disability.
There are two weekly rates, and the amount you receive depends on how much help you need.
Importantly, any Attendance Allowance you receive doesn’t need to be spent directly on care. Many people use it for other types of support that help them stay independent — like:
-
Paying bills
-
Getting meals delivered
-
Buying equipment for the home
-
Covering the cost of taxis
Want to apply for Attendance Allowance?
We know that dealing with benefits paperwork can feel overwhelming. That’s why our team takes the time to help – at no cost – with patience, kindness and expertise.
How much is Attendance Allowance?
From April 2025 to April 2026, these are the current rates:
| Rate | Amount per week | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Lower rate | £73.90 | If you need help during the day or at night |
| Higher rate | £110.40 | If you need help during the day and night, or are terminally ill |
Attendance Allowance is not taxable, not means-tested, and it won’t affect other benefits. In fact, claiming it could make you eligible for extra support like:
-
Pension Credit
-
Housing Benefit
-
Council Tax Reduction
Am I eligible to claim Attendance Allowance?
You can claim Attendance Allowance if:
-
You’re over State Pension age
-
You have a physical or mental disability or illness (this includes dementia, sight or hearing impairments, etc.)
-
You would benefit from help with personal care (e.g., washing, dressing) or supervision to keep you safe
-
You’ve needed help for at least 6 months (unless you’re terminally ill — then you can apply immediately)
Attendance Allowance
Find out everything you need to know about the Attendance Allowance with our easy-to-download guide
Why are we speaking out?
Some private companies are advertising “form-filling services” for £600 or more. While it's legal to offer paid help, these services are often unnecessary and expensive - especially when trusted, experienced, free support is available.
These ads can mislead people into thinking they need to pay to get through the process. They don’t.
Where to get free help
In East Sussex, you can access free, friendly and expert support with your Attendance Allowance application through:
-
Age UK East Sussex – Our trained advisors are here to help
-
Local council welfare rights services