Attendance Allowance

If you have an illness or disability, you might be entitled to Attendance Allowance to help with personal care or supervision.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of an illness or disability. There are 2 different weekly rates, and the amount you get depends on how much help you need.

Any Attendance Allowance you receive doesn't necessarily need to be spent on your care. Many people spend the money on other types of help in the home, or on equipment to help them stay independent. For example, it could help you pay bills, get meals delivered or cover the cost of taxis.

How much is Attendance Allowance?

There are 2 rates of Attendance Allowance. What you get depends on the care you need. It's usually paid every 4 weeks.

These rates apply from April 2025 to April 2026. 

Is Attendance Allowance taxable?

The money you receive isn't taxable or means-tested – so your savings or income won't affect your claim. Claiming also won't affect any other benefits you receive. In fact, it can help you get other benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Reduction.

Am I eligible to claim Attendance Allowance?

You can claim Attendance Allowance if you meet the following criteria:

• You're over State Pension age (if you haven't reached it, you may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment instead).
• You have any type of disability or physical or mental illness, including sight or hearing impairments and conditions such as dementia.
• You could benefit from help with personal care, such as getting washed or dressed, or supervision to keep you safe during the day or night.
• You've needed help for at least 6 months. This doesn't apply if you're terminally ill, in which case you can make a claim straight away.

If you’re already claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you can continue to get these after you reach State Pension age. If you’ve been asked to claim AA instead of your current benefit, contact your local Age UK.

How to claim Attendance Allowance

To make a claim, you have to fill out the Attendance Allowance claim form. There are a couple of ways to get your form. You can:

• call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 
• download a claim form from GOV.UK.

When filling out the form, be really clear about how your illness or disability affects your life and attach any supporting information, such as GP letters, your care plans, or prescription lists. 

The Attendance Allowance form can be daunting, but we've brought together tips on how best to fill it out and what to include. You can also get in touch with your local Age UK for help from an adviser.

Find out more about what to include in your Attendance Allowance form

Once you've submitted your form, the Department of Work and Pensions may contact you for more information or arrange a visit from a doctor. It's a good idea to prepare for this visit by writing down things you think the doctor should know about. 

You'll get a letter about whether or not you’ll get Attendance Allowance, how much, and from what date. If you’re not happy with the decision, you can appeal.

If you claim by post, it’s usually best to phone up to ask for a claim form. This is because the date you call will be recorded on your form. If your application is successful, your first payment will be from that date.

If you download the form, your first payment will be based on when your form was received by the Attendance Allowance Unit. This could be a difference of a few weeks’ worth of money. 

More Attendance Allowance questions