Attendance Allowance: who can claim and how to apply
Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.
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 does not depend on your income or savings, you do not need a carer to claim, and you can spend it however you like.
What Attendance Allowance is
It is for people who have reached State Pension age and have a physical or mental condition, including sight or hearing loss and dementia, that means they need help or someone to keep an eye on them. "Personal care" covers things like washing, dressing, getting in and out of bed, using the toilet, eating and taking medication.
It is not means-tested: your pension, savings and home are irrelevant. Nobody checks what you spend it on. Some people use it for a cleaner, taxis, extra heating or equipment that makes daily life easier.
Who qualifies
- You have reached State Pension age.
- Your condition means you need help with personal care, or supervision to keep you or others safe.
- You have needed that help for at least six months. (If a medical professional has said you may be nearing the end of life, special rules mean you can get it more quickly and at the higher rate.)
- You meet the residence rules set out on GOV.UK.
What matters is the help you need, not the help you actually get. Many people who live alone and struggle on without help still qualify.
You cannot usually get Attendance Allowance if you live in a care home and the council pays for your care. You can still claim if you pay all the care home costs yourself.
How much it is
At the time of writing (November 2026), the weekly rates given on GOV.UK are:
| Rate | Weekly amount | Level of help you need |
|---|---|---|
| Lower | £76.70 | Frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night |
| Higher | £114.60 | Help or supervision throughout both day and night, or a medical professional has said you may be nearing the end of life |
Getting Attendance Allowance can also increase other help. GOV.UK says you could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction. See our guides to Pension Credit and Council Tax Reduction.
How to claim
England and Wales
- Apply online, or print the claim form, from the Attendance Allowance page on GOV.UK.
- Or phone the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) and ask for a form to be posted to you.
If you ask for the form by phone and return it within six weeks, your claim starts from the date of your call. Otherwise it starts from the date the form is received or the online claim is made, so do not wait until you have "got round to it".
Scotland
Attendance Allowance has been replaced in Scotland by Pension Age Disability Payment, run by Social Security Scotland. The weekly rates at the time of writing (November 2026) are the same: £76.70 and £114.60. New claims go to Social Security Scotland; people already on Attendance Allowance are moved across without having to apply. See Pension Age Disability Payment on mygov.scot.
Northern Ireland
Attendance Allowance is claimed through the Northern Ireland benefits system rather than the Department for Work and Pensions. Start at nidirect.
Filling in the form well
The form is long, and how you describe your difficulties matters. These pointers come up again and again from advice agencies:
- Describe your bad days. Say how often they happen. Do not describe only your best day.
- Be specific. "It takes me twenty minutes to get dressed and I have to sit down twice" tells the decision-maker far more than "I manage".
- Include what you avoid. If you have stopped having a bath because you are afraid of slipping, say so.
- Mention falls, stumbles and near misses, and anything that happens at night.
- Include aids you rely on, such as grab rails, a perching stool or a pill organiser. Using an aid is evidence of need, not a reason to be refused.
- Send supporting evidence if you have it: a list of your medicines, a care plan or hospital letters.
Common reasons people miss out
- "I do not have a carer." You do not need one.
- "I have savings." They are not taken into account.
- "I am not disabled, I am just getting older." If arthritis, breathlessness, poor sight, memory problems or anything else means you need help with daily tasks, that is what the benefit is for.
- Playing down difficulties. Pride and a habit of coping lead many people to write "I manage" on the form.
- Giving up after a refusal. You can ask for the decision to be looked at again, and you can reapply if your needs increase.
What it does not cover
Attendance Allowance has no mobility part, so on its own it does not qualify you for the Motability Scheme. Help getting around, such as a Blue Badge, is applied for separately. If the things you buy with it are designed for disabled people, you may also be able to buy them without VAT: see VAT relief on mobility aids.
Common questions
Is Attendance Allowance means-tested?
No. Your income and savings do not affect whether you get it or how much you get.
Will I need a medical examination?
Most claims are decided on the form and any supporting evidence. Occasionally a health professional may be asked to assess you; you will be told if this is needed.
Can the person who looks after me claim anything?
Possibly. If someone spends a lot of time caring for you, they may be able to claim Carer's Allowance (Carer Support Payment in Scotland) once you get Attendance Allowance. This can affect your own means-tested benefits, so take advice first. See also discounts for carers.
I already get PIP or DLA. Can I claim this too?
No, you cannot get both. People already on a disability benefit when they reach State Pension age normally stay on that benefit. Citizens Advice can explain what applies to you.