Attendance Allowance: Support for Older People with Disabilities

Getting older can bring health challenges, and long-term conditions can make everyday tasks more difficult. Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit designed for people who have reached State Pension age and need extra support to live independently at home. Unlike many other benefits, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, meaning your income, savings, and investments are not looked at when deciding your claim.

Who Qualifies for Attendance Allowance

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

• You are at or above State Pension age (currently 66).
• You have a physical or mental disability, long-term illness, or sight or hearing impairment.
• Your health condition means you need help with personal care or supervision to keep you safe.
• You have needed this support for at least six months (unless you are terminally ill).

Personal care includes help with everyday activities such as getting out of bed, washing, dressing, eating, managing medication, or moving around safely. You can also qualify if you need supervision to prevent accidents or confusion, which is common with dementia or cognitive impairments.

Importantly, you do not need to have a paid carer living with you or visiting your home. Qualification depends entirely on the care you need, not the care you currently receive.

Payment Rates for 2026/27

Attendance Allowance is paid at two different weekly rates depending on the level of care required:

| Allowance Rate | Weekly Amount (2026/27) | Description of Care Required | | --- | --- | --- | | Lower Rate | £76.70 per week | You need frequent help or supervision during the day OR during the night. | | Higher Rate | £114.60 per week | You need help or supervision during BOTH the day AND night, or you are terminally ill. |

Attendance Allowance is paid directly into your bank account every four weeks. It is completely tax-free and exempt from the benefit cap.

How Attendance Allowance Boosts Other Income

Receiving Attendance Allowance can unlock substantial financial help across other areas. Because it is not counted as income, it will never reduce your other benefits. In fact, awarded Attendance Allowance often increases your entitlement to Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Reduction by adding severe disability premiums to your calculation.

Furthermore, if someone looks after you for 35 hours a week, your Attendance Allowance award allows them to apply for Carer's Allowance or the Universal Credit carer element.

How to Claim

To make a claim, you need to complete the AA1 application form. You can request a printed claim pack by calling the DWP Attendance Allowance helpline or download the form directly from GOV.UK.

When completing the form, describe your care needs in detail, explaining how your condition affects your daily life on your worst days. Mention all the help you need, even if you manage to push through tasks with difficulty.

Start your application by visiting the GOV.UK Attendance Allowance page.