If you are over State Pension age and have a health condition or disability, that means you need help with everyday personal care, Attendance Allowance could add an extra £76.70 to £114.60 a week to your income. It is not means-tested, tax-free, and can be claimed even by those not having a carer yet.
This guide provides accurate information from GOV.UK about Attendance Allowance in the UK, including its amount, eligibility, whether it is means-tested, and how to claim it.
Key Note: Attendance Allowance is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, Pension Age Disability Payment has replaced Attendance Allowance.
Key Takeaways
Attendance Allowance pays £76.70 (lower rate) or £114.60 (higher rate) a week in 2026-27.
It is not means-tested, so savings, income and pensions don’t affect your claim.
You must be of State Pension age and have needed help for at least 6 months (this requirement can be waived if you are nearing the end of life).
You don’t need to already have a carer to qualify.
There is no official list of qualifying conditions; eligibility is based on your care needs, not your diagnosis.
You can apply online or by post using the Attendance Allowance claim form.
If you are looking for live-in care providers, use ComparedExperts UK to compare the top live-in care providers.
What Is Attendance Allowance UK?
Attendance Allowance in the UK is a non-contributory benefit offered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help people who face additional expenses because of disabilities or medical conditions after reaching State Pension age.
It is designed for people who need help with personal care, such as washing, dressing, eating, administering medication, moving around the house or requiring supervision to stay safe.
Unlike Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance has no mobility component; it is purely about personal care and supervision needs.
Note: If you live in Scotland, you will need to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead of Attendance Allowance.
Attendance Allowance vs PIP vs DLA
These three benefits are often confused because they all support people with disabilities, but they apply to different age groups:
- Attendance Allowance: For people who are State Pension age or over.
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP): For people aged 16 to State Pension age; it includes a mobility component.
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA): For people under 16 who live in England and Wales.
How Much Is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is paid at two weekly rates, and the rate depends on the help or supervision you need because of your condition, rather than your income or savings.
| Rate | Weekly Amount | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|
|
Lower Rate |
£76.70 |
You need help or supervision during the day or at night, but not both |
|
Higher Rate |
£114.60 |
You need help or supervision during the day and night, or you qualify under the end-of-life rules |
Attendance Allowance Per Year
- Lower Rate: £76.70 a week = £3,988.40 a year
- Higher Rate: £114.60 a week = £5,959.20 a year
Note: Attendance Allowance is a weekly payment; it isn’t given annually.
Attendance Allowance is paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
Is Attendance Allowance Means-Tested?
No, Attendance Allowance does not consider your savings, income, pension, or investments when deciding whether you will receive it and how much. This benefit is also tax-free and does not need to be taken into account when calculating your income tax.
This makes it an exception among other benefits that take your household financials into account. Below is a comparison of Attendance Allowance and means-tested financial support:
| Attendance Allowance (Not Means-Tested) | Typical Means-Tested Benefits |
|---|---|
|
Savings and income are not considered |
Savings above a threshold can reduce or stop payments |
|
Paid regardless of a pension or other earnings |
Household income is assessed |
|
Tax-free, not counted against Personal Allowance |
May be reduced against other income |
Since it isn’t means-tested, Attendance Allowance is worth applying for even if you have significant savings, a private pension, or you are still earning.
Who Is Eligible For Attendance Allowance?
To qualify for Attendance Allowance, you need to meet all of the following:
- You’ve reached the State Pension age.
- You have a physical disability, mental disability or health condition.
- Your condition is severe enough that you need help taking care of yourself or someone to watch over you to ensure your safety and that of others.
- You normally need to have needed help for at least 6 months. Special rules apply if you are nearing the end of life, and you may be able to receive the higher rate without waiting for six months.
- You must meet certain residence and immigration requirements. For instance, you will normally need to have been in Great Britain for at least 2 of the last 3 years and meet the relevant residence rules.
- You don’t get the Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Adult Disability Payment, Scottish ADLA, or Armed Forces Independence Payment.
Learn more about eligibility here.
Is It Possible To Apply For Attendance Allowance Without A Carer?
Yes. You don’t have to be cared for to get Attendance Allowance. What matters is the need for assistance, not the current situation. There are many single people getting this benefit.
Do You Get Attendance Allowance If You Live In A Care Home?
If the council pays for your care home stay, you cannot claim Attendance Allowance. However, you are entitled to it if you pay for your accommodation yourself.
How To Claim Attendance Allowance?
The Attendance Allowance application can be made online or via a postal claim. Some useful information before starting your claim will be:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your contact details
- Information about your disability or illness which requires assistance
- Information about your GP surgery or medical centre
- Information about the care home, hospital or hospice where you live
Step-By-Step: How To Apply
- Apply online through the GOV.UK claims service, or request the Attendance Allowance claim form by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm).
- Fill in the application, detailing how your disability or illness affects you on both good and challenging days.
- Submit your form online or post it using the Freepost address provided.
- Within 3 weeks of submitting your claim, you should receive a text or letter explaining when you can expect a decision
- After assessment of your claim, you will receive a decision letter. If you have been awarded the benefit, it will contain details of your rate and the first payment date.
If you apply online, your claim starts from the date you submit your application. If you post the form, it starts from the date DWP receives it or from the date you called the helpline, as long as you return the form within 6 weeks.
What To Do If Your Claim Is Refused?
If you disagree with the decision, you can ask DWP for a mandatory reconsideration. Explain why you believe the decision is incorrect and provide any relevant information or evidence that supports your claim.
What Medical Conditions Qualify For Attendance Allowance?
Unfortunately, there is no published list of qualifying medical conditions that make one eligible for Attendance Allowance, prepared by the DWP. In this situation, the extent of daily assistance or care matters, not the type of illness.
In other words, it is possible for two individuals suffering from the same disease to get different results, as one person might require more assistance in his or her daily activities.
Nevertheless, some common diseases that people applying for attendance allowance have encountered include:
- Arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions
- Dementia (including Alzheimer’s)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Respiratory diseases (including COPD)
- Stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases
- Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions
- Sensory impairments (hearing and sight loss)
- Cancer and effects of cancer treatments
- Complicated diabetes
- Mental disorders (anxiety, depression and psychosis)
If you do not have any of these conditions, you may still be eligible; just fill in the claim form and provide the required information from your GP or another specialist.
Attendance Allowance And Live-In Care
For many older people, Attendance Allowance can help with the cost of care at home, including live-in care, but it will not normally cover the full cost.
For those on the high rate, the allowance can cover almost £6,000 worth of expenses annually, and, since it is not means-tested, it will complement rather than replace your savings and pensions.
Even if the Attendance Allowance is not enough to cover all the costs of having a live-in carer, it can make a valuable contribution to these costs, especially when combined with Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction, or NHS Continuing Healthcare when health needs are dominant.
Want to learn more about other funding options? See ComparedExperts detailed guides:
Find Reputable Live-In Care Providers With ComparedExperts UK
Finding ways to fund your care can be a challenge, but finding trustworthy providers is one too. ComparedExperts UK help you compare reputable live-in care agencies across the UK, so you can see costs, service quality and availability side by side before you commit.
Whether you are planning or need care in place urgently, we make it easier for you to find a provider that fits your needs and budget. Just fill in our quick quote form, and we will match you with the right live-in care provider.
FAQs
No. Attendance Allowance is only for people who are State Pension age or over, and you cannot claim it alongside PIP, DLA, Adult Disability Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment for the same needs.
No. Attendance Allowance has nothing to do with State Pension and vice versa; the two benefits are not related.
In general, after submitting your application, you should receive a text or a letter in 3 weeks regarding the date of the decision. However, the processing period may vary from case to case depending on DWP workload and the assessment.
No. Even if no one is helping you right now and you live alone, you can still receive Attendance Allowance. It depends on whether you need it, not on whether you get help.
No. Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit, and, therefore, it does not depend on savings or any other source of income.
Attendance Allowance is not counted as income for Pension Credit, and receiving it can sometimes increase the amount of Pension Credit you can receive. Check your circumstances using the GOV.UK guidance.
