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What is Attendance Allowance?
If you have reached State Pension age and have a disability or health condition that means you need someone to look after you, Attendance Allowance can help you to cover any extra costs you might face.
Attendance Allowance is a benefit paid at two different rates by the government, depending on the level of care you need due to your disability or health condition.
It is for people of State Pension Age and have a disability that is physical and/or mental. Consequently they need help caring for themselves or need someone to supervise them to keep them safe.
Unless you are terminally ill, you must have needed help for at least six months.
Attendance Allowance rates 2025/26
Attendance Allowance is paid weekly into your bank account at a lower or higher rate depending on your needs.
- Lower rate: £73.90
- Higher rate: £110.40
People who need personal support or supervision during the day, or supervision at night, qualify for the lower rate.
What other benefits can I claim if I get Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is one of several benefits you may be entitled to if you receive home care. It is non-means tested, tax-free and if you are eligible for it, other benefits you are entitled to may increase.
You may be able to get Housing Benefit, a reduction in your Council Tax and extra Pension Credit.
Whether you can claim or not is based on the help you need, rather than your income or savings.
Although you are required to need care to be eligible, you do not need to have someone already caring for you to claim Attendance Allowance. However, if you are awarded the benefit, it means that you have been assessed as needing some level of care from another person and it would be a good idea to use the extra income to fund home care services if you are not already receiving support.
If you do already have someone caring for you, they may qualify for Carer’s Allowance.
You cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you already receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
How do I qualify for Attendance Allowance?
To claim, the following eligibility criteria apply:
- You must have reached State Pension age
- You must have a physical and/or mental disability (including learning difficulties) that is severe enough that you need help and/or supervision
- You must have needed that help for at least six months (unless you are terminally ill)
- You must be in Great Britain and meet other residence and presence conditions
Your eligibility is not determined by a specific condition or diagnosis, but rather how your disability affects you. For example, you may have a physical disability which means you are unable to wash and dress yourself or use the toilet without assistance, meaning you need help with personal care.
If it is unclear how your condition affects you, you may need to attend an assessment where a health professional examines you and your needs. Where this is the case, you will be sent a letter to notify you.
What happens if you are terminally ill?
If you are terminally ill and you are not expected to live for more than 12 months, you can claim straight away.
You will automatically receive the higher rate of £110.40.
There is no qualifying period, meaning it does not matter how long you have had your illness for.
How do I claim Attendance Allowance?
If you live in England, Wales or Scotland you need to complete the Attendance Allowance claim form.
If you live in Northern Ireland, you can get more information here.
Although you must have needed help for at least six months, you can still apply for Attendance Allowance before that date, but you will not receive payments until six months have passed.
People who are terminally ill can claim straight away.
The form asks for information about your illness, how long you have had it for, what medicines or treatment you have been prescribed, and more.
If you live in Scotland, Attendance Allowance is being replaced by Pension Age Disability Benefit.
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