Published by Claim Attendance Allowance • claimattendanceallowance.co.uk

Every year, an estimated £5.2 billion in Attendance Allowance goes unclaimed across Great Britain.

Research by Policy in Practice found that over 1.1 million pension-age households are likely eligible but have never applied – often because they simply don’t know the benefit exists, assume they won’t qualify, or find the application process too daunting to tackle alone.

If you’re aged 66 or over and living with a health condition or disability that affects your daily life, Attendance Allowance could provide you with a significant financial boost – up to £5,740.80 per year – with no means testing and no requirement to have a carer.

This guide covers everything you need to know, from eligibility and rates to practical tips for making a successful claim.

What Is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to people who have reached State Pension age and need help with personal care or supervision because of a physical or mental health condition.

It is designed to help cover the extra costs that come with living with a disability or long-term illness.

The benefit was first introduced in 1971 and remains one of the most important – yet underused – forms of financial support available to older people in the United Kingdom.

Unlike many other benefits, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested. This means your income, savings, and assets have absolutely no bearing on whether you qualify or how much you receive.

Crucially, you do not need to have someone physically caring for you to be eligible. The benefit is based on your need for care or supervision, not on whether you are actually receiving it.

Many people who live independently and manage on their own still qualify because they struggle with everyday tasks or would benefit from help, even if they have adapted to cope without it.

Key Facts at a Glance

Who Can Claim Attendance Allowance?

To be eligible for Attendance Allowance, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• You have reached State Pension age (currently 66 or over).
• You have a physical disability, mental disability, or long-term health condition.
• You need help with personal care or supervision to keep yourself safe.
• You have needed this level of help for at least six months (this requirement is waived if you are terminally ill).
• You are resident in Great Britain and have been present in the UK for at least two of the last three years.
• You are not already receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

It is worth noting that if you were already receiving PIP or DLA before reaching State Pension age, you will continue to receive those benefits and would not need to switch to Attendance Allowance.

What Conditions Qualify?

There is no fixed list of qualifying conditions. Attendance Allowance is not awarded based on a specific diagnosis but rather on how your condition affects your ability to carry out daily tasks and look after yourself. That said, the following conditions are commonly associated with successful claims:

• Arthritis, osteoporosis, and other joint or mobility conditions
• Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other memory-related conditions
• Heart disease and cardiovascular conditions
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other breathing difficulties
• Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions
• Stroke and its lasting effects
• Diabetes and related complications
• Visual or hearing impairments
• Mental health conditions including depression and anxiety
• Cancer and the side effects of treatment
• Incontinence
• Conditions affecting balance and increasing the risk of falls

Many people have more than one condition, and it is the combined effect of all your health problems that matters. Even if each individual condition seems relatively minor, the cumulative impact on your daily life could mean you are entitled to Attendance Allowance.

How Much Is Attendance Allowance Worth?

Attendance Allowance is paid at two weekly rates for the 2025/26 tax year (April 2025 to April 2026):

The lower rate is paid to people who need frequent help with personal care during the day, or who need continual supervision throughout the day to keep them safe, or who need someone to help them or watch over them at night.

The higher rate is paid to people who need help or supervision both during the day and at night, or to anyone who is terminally ill and claiming under the special rules.

For the 2026/27 tax year (from April 2026), the Government has proposed increasing the rates to £76.70 per week (lower rate) and £114.60 per week (higher rate), though these figures are subject to confirmation.

Over a full year, the higher rate of Attendance Allowance amounts to £5,740.80 – a substantial sum that can make a real difference to your quality of life. Importantly, the money is yours to spend as you see fit. There are no restrictions on what you can use it for, and you do not need to account for how you spend it.

What Can You Use Attendance Allowance For?

Although there are no formal rules about how you spend the money, common uses include:

• Paying for help around the home, such as cleaning, gardening, or meal preparation
• Covering the cost of taxis or private transport to medical appointments
• Purchasing aids, equipment, or home adaptations to make daily life easier
• Contributing towards the cost of a private carer or home help
• Heating and energy bills, particularly during the winter months
• Laundry costs, especially if incontinence is a factor
• Any other expenses related to your care needs or general wellbeing

How Attendance Allowance Can Unlock Other Benefits

One of the most overlooked advantages of receiving Attendance Allowance is that it can act as a gateway to additional financial support. Being awarded Attendance Allowance can increase your entitlement to other means-tested benefits or qualify you for support you were not previously eligible for.

Pension Credit

If you are on a low income, receiving Attendance Allowance can mean you qualify for Pension Credit for the first time, or that your existing Pension Credit payments increase. Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level, and receiving a disability benefit like Attendance Allowance can add a severe disability premium to your entitlement. For a single pensioner, the combination of Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit can increase their annual income significantly.

Council Tax Reduction

Many local authorities offer additional Council Tax reductions for people who receive Attendance Allowance. You may be eligible for a discount or even a full exemption depending on your circumstances and where you live. It is always worth contacting your local council to find out what reductions are available to you.

Housing Benefit

If you are renting and receive means-tested benefits, an award of Attendance Allowance could lead to an increase in your Housing Benefit. This is because the disability premiums associated with Attendance Allowance can increase the amount of income the DWP considers you need to live on.

Carer’s Allowance

If someone provides you with care for at least 35 hours per week, your Attendance Allowance award may mean they become eligible to claim Carer’s Allowance in their own right. This is currently worth £81.90 per week (2025/26 rate) and can be a valuable source of income for a family member or friend who helps look after you.

Other Support

Depending on your circumstances, receiving Attendance Allowance may also help you access the NHS Low Income Scheme (which provides help with prescription costs, dental treatment, and optical services), the Warm Home Discount scheme, and various charitable grants and local authority support programmes.

How to Claim Attendance Allowance

You can apply for Attendance Allowance by completing the AA1 claim form. There are several ways to obtain and submit the form:

Applying by Post

The most common route is to request a paper claim form by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and calls are free from landlines and mobiles. Once you receive the form, complete it and post it back using the freepost address provided – you do not need a stamp.

Applying Online

You can also download and complete the AA1 form from GOV.UK. The interactive version can be filled in on a computer using a PDF reader, but you will still need to print, sign, and post it. An online application route has also been introduced, where your claim starts from the date you submit online.

Claiming by Telephone

If you are unable to complete the form yourself, you can call the helpline and a member of staff can help you start your claim over the phone. A family member, friend, or representative can also call on your behalf with your permission.

Your claim will be backdated to either the date you requested the form or the date you submitted your online application, so it is a good idea to make contact as soon as possible even if you need time to gather information before completing the form.

Tips for Making a Successful Claim

The Attendance Allowance form is detailed and requires you to describe how your conditions affect your daily life. Many claims are unsuccessful not because the person does not qualify, but because they have not provided enough detail about their care needs. Here are some practical tips to help you make the strongest possible claim:

1. Describe Your Worst Days, Not Your Best

It is natural to want to present yourself in a positive light, but when completing the form you need to focus on the days when your condition is at its most difficult. The DWP needs to understand the full extent of the help you require, so describe what happens on a bad day and how often those bad days occur.

2. Be Specific and Detailed

Rather than simply stating that you need help getting dressed, explain exactly what difficulties you face. For example, you might describe how the arthritis in your hands makes it impossible to fasten buttons, how you need to sit on the edge of the bed to steady yourself before standing, or how you have to use a long-handled shoe horn because you cannot bend down.

3. Mention Every Condition

If you have multiple health conditions, make sure you describe the effects of each one and how they interact with one another. The combined impact of several conditions is often greater than any single diagnosis would suggest on its own.

4. Include Aids and Adaptations

If you use any aids or equipment to help you manage daily tasks – such as grab rails, a walking frame, a perching stool, or a raised toilet seat – mention these on the form. The fact that you need these aids is evidence that you have care needs, even if you feel you are coping.

5. Don’t Forget Supervision Needs

Attendance Allowance is not just about physical help. If you need someone to watch over you or check on you regularly for safety reasons – for example, because you are at risk of falls, have memory problems, or experience confusion – this counts as a supervision need and should be described in detail.

6. Think About Night-Time Needs

If you need help during the night – whether that is assistance getting to the toilet, someone to turn you in bed, or supervision because you become confused or restless – make sure you describe this clearly. Night-time needs are what can make the difference between being awarded the lower rate and the higher rate.

7. Ask Someone to Help You Complete the Form

You do not have to fill in the form alone. A family member, friend, carer, or professional adviser can help you. Having someone else involved can be useful because they may notice things you have become so accustomed to that you no longer think of them as difficulties.

8. Keep a Copy

Before posting your completed form, take a photocopy or photograph of every page. This is important in case the form is lost in the post, and it also gives you a record of what you said should you need to challenge the decision later.

What Happens After You Submit Your Claim?

Once the DWP receives your completed form, a decision maker will review your application. You will typically receive an acknowledgement within three weeks confirming that your claim has been received and giving you an indication of when to expect a decision.

In most cases, decisions are based solely on the information you provide in your claim form and any supporting evidence. Unlike PIP, there is usually no face-to-face assessment for Attendance Allowance.

However, the DWP may contact your GP or another healthcare professional for further information, and they may also speak to anyone you have named on the form as someone who helps care for you.

The decision typically takes around six to ten weeks, though this can vary depending on demand.

You will receive a decision letter explaining whether your claim has been successful and, if so, which rate you have been awarded. Payments are made every four weeks directly into your bank, building society, or credit union account.

What If Your Claim Is Refused?

If your claim is refused or you are awarded the lower rate when you believe you should receive the higher rate, you have the right to challenge the decision. The process works as follows:

Mandatory Reconsideration

The first step is to request a mandatory reconsideration. This means asking the DWP to look at their decision again. You should do this within one month of receiving your decision letter.

In your request, explain why you disagree with the decision and provide any additional evidence that supports your case.

Appeal

If the mandatory reconsideration does not change the outcome, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. The tribunal is run by HM Courts and Tribunals Service and is completely separate from the DWP.

At the tribunal hearing, you will have the opportunity to explain in person how your conditions affect you. Many people find that the tribunal process is more thorough and understanding than the initial paper-based decision.

It is well worth challenging an unfavourable decision. A significant number of Attendance Allowance decisions are overturned at the mandatory reconsideration or appeal stage, particularly when the claimant is able to provide more detailed information about their care needs.

Special Rules for Terminal Illness

If you have a progressive condition and are not expected to live longer than 12 months, you can claim Attendance Allowance under the special rules. This means:

• You will automatically receive the higher rate of Attendance Allowance.
• The six-month qualifying period is waived – you do not need to have had care needs for six months before claiming.
• Your claim will be fast-tracked and processed much more quickly than a standard application.
• You will need an SR1 form from your doctor, consultant, or specialist nurse to support your claim. You will not be charged for this.

You can make a claim under the special rules on behalf of someone else without their knowledge, if you believe it would cause them distress to know. The DWP will handle this sensitively and will not mention the special rules in any correspondence with the claimant.

Attendance Allowance in Scotland

If you live in Scotland, new claims for Attendance Allowance are no longer made to the DWP. Instead, you should apply for Pension Age Disability Payment, which is administered by Social Security Scotland.

The eligibility criteria are broadly similar, and existing Attendance Allowance claimants in Scotland are being moved across to the new benefit automatically over time.

For more information on Pension Age Disability Payment, visit the Social Security Scotland website at mygov.scot.

Common Myths About Attendance Allowance

“I have savings, so I won’t qualify”

This is one of the most common misconceptions. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested. Your savings, income, property, and investments have no effect whatsoever on your eligibility. Whether you have £100 or £100,000 in the bank, you can still claim.

“I don’t have a carer, so I can’t claim”

You do not need to have anyone caring for you to be eligible. The benefit is based on your need for care, not on whether you are receiving it. Many successful claimants live alone and manage independently, but they still qualify because they struggle with daily tasks.

“My condition isn’t serious enough”

Many people underestimate how much their health conditions affect their daily lives. If you have difficulty with tasks such as washing, dressing, preparing meals, or moving around safely, you could well qualify. The cumulative effect of multiple conditions is particularly significant.

“It’s too complicated to apply”

Whilst the form is detailed, help is available. Organisations like Age UK and Citizens Advice offer free assistance with completing the form. You can also ask a family member, friend, or professional to help. Using a specialist claims service can also take the stress out of the process by handling the paperwork on your behalf.

“Claiming will affect my other benefits”

Far from reducing your other benefits, receiving Attendance Allowance can actually increase your entitlement to means-tested benefits like Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction. It is paid on top of your State Pension and does not count as taxable income.

How Claim Attendance Allowance Can Help

At Claim Attendance Allowance, we specialise in helping people navigate the Attendance Allowance claims process from start to finish. Our team of experts understands exactly what the DWP is looking for and how to present your case for the best possible chance of success.

We work on a no win, no fee basis, which means you only pay if your claim is successful. Our fixed fee of £370 (with just £50 due upfront as a deposit) covers everything – from the initial eligibility check through to final submission.

When you consider that a successful higher-rate claim is worth over £5,700 per year, the fee represents exceptional value.

We handle all the complex paperwork, ensure your claim is thorough and fully evidenced, and keep you informed at every stage.

If you find the prospect of tackling a 32-page government form daunting, or if you simply want the reassurance that your claim is being prepared by people who do this every day, we are here to help.