Benefits & Support
Attendance Allowance Guide 2026 — Eligibility, Rates & How to Claim
Complete guide to Attendance Allowance for over 65s. Who qualifies, how much you'll receive, how to apply, what to write on the form, and how it can unlock other benefits.
Attendance Allowance helps people over State Pension age with the extra costs of disability or illness. Many eligible people don’t claim — here’s how to ensure you get what you’re entitled to.
Attendance Allowance Rates 2026-27
Weekly Rates
| Rate |
Amount |
When Paid |
| Lower rate |
£72.65 |
Need help day OR night |
| Higher rate |
£108.55 |
Need help day AND night |
Annual Value
| Rate |
Weekly |
Annual |
| Lower |
£72.65 |
£3,778 |
| Higher |
£108.55 |
£5,645 |
Tax-free and doesn’t affect State Pension.
Who Can Claim?
Basic Eligibility
| Requirement |
Detail |
| Age |
State Pension age or over |
| Disability |
Physical or mental condition |
| Help needed |
Care or supervision required |
| Duration |
6+ months (unless terminally ill) |
| Residence |
Living in UK |
What “Needing Help” Means
| Type of Help |
Examples |
| Personal care |
Washing, dressing, eating |
| Physical assistance |
Getting in/out of bed, walking |
| Supervision |
To avoid danger to self/others |
| Encouragement |
Prompting to do things |
| Watching over |
Because of falls risk or confusion |
Key Point: You Don’t Need a Carer
| Misconception |
Reality |
| Must have a carer to claim |
No — it’s about needing help |
| Must pay for care |
No — can manage alone with difficulty |
| Must receive help |
No — what you need matters, not what you get |
What’s NOT Considered
Doesn’t Affect Eligibility
| Factor |
Effect |
| Your income |
None — not means-tested |
| Your savings |
None — no limit |
| Whether you work |
None — can still work |
| Whether you have a carer |
None — about your needs |
| Whether you pay for care |
None |
Who Cannot Claim
| Situation |
Alternative |
| Under State Pension age |
Claim PIP instead |
| In hospital (after 28 days) |
Payment stops during stay |
| In care home (LA funded) |
Usually cannot claim |
| Self-funded care home |
Can still claim |
Day vs Night Needs
Lower Rate: Day OR Night
Day needs — you need help or supervision:
| When |
Type of Help |
| During the day |
With personal care |
| Throughout day |
To stay safe |
| For repeated tasks |
Eating, drinking, toileting |
Night needs — you need help or supervision:
| When |
Type of Help |
| At night |
Getting to toilet |
| During sleep |
To avoid danger |
| More than once |
Prolonged or repeated attention |
Higher Rate: Day AND Night
| Requirement |
Meaning |
| Both day and night |
Any combination of needs |
| Terminal illness |
Automatically higher rate |
Examples by Rate
| Situation |
Likely Rate |
| Falls risk during day, sleeps through night |
Lower |
| Needs help washing, also needs checking at night |
Higher |
| Confusion anytime, needs constant supervision |
Higher |
| Arthritis making dressing difficult |
Lower or higher |
| Terminal illness |
Higher |
How to Apply
| Method |
Detail |
| Phone |
0800 731 0122 |
| Online printable |
gov.uk/attendance-allowance |
| Someone else can call |
With your permission |
| Form Section |
What It Asks |
| About you |
Personal details, NI number |
| Your conditions |
All illnesses and disabilities |
| Day supervision |
Help needed during day |
| Night supervision |
Help needed at night |
| Falls and safety |
Risk of falling, accidents |
| Doctor details |
GP information |
Where to Send
| Address |
Detail |
| Freepost |
Attendance Allowance, Freepost DWP |
| No stamp needed |
Freepost |
| Keep a copy |
For your records |
Section by Section Tips
| Section |
Tip |
| Health conditions |
List ALL conditions, even minor ones |
| Medication |
Include everything — prescription and over-counter |
| How condition affects you |
Describe your worst days |
| Help you need |
What help you’d need, even if you don’t get it |
Describing Your Difficulties
| Instead of |
Write |
| “I manage” |
“I can only do this if I take breaks and use aids” |
| “I can wash myself” |
“Washing takes me 30 minutes and I can only reach my lower body” |
| “I sleep okay” |
“I wake 2-3 times to use the toilet and risk falling” |
Key Phrases to Include
| Phrase |
Use When |
| “I need someone standing by” |
Supervision required |
| “This causes me pain/exhaustion” |
Tasks are difficult |
| “I risk falling” |
Safety concerns |
| “I cannot do this safely without help” |
Need assistance |
| “On my worst days” |
Describing bad days |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake |
Better Approach |
| Being too brief |
Expand on every difficulty |
| Only mentioning main condition |
List all conditions |
| Describing good days |
Focus on bad days |
| Saying “I manage” |
Explain how hard it is |
| Empty boxes |
Always write something |
Supporting Evidence
What Helps Your Claim
| Evidence Type |
How It Helps |
| GP letter |
Confirms conditions |
| Hospital letters |
Specialist confirmation |
| Care plan |
Shows assessed needs |
| Occupational therapist report |
Professional assessment |
| Prescription list |
Shows medications |
Who Can Write Supporting Letters
| Person |
What They Can Confirm |
| GP |
Diagnoses, impact on daily life |
| Consultant |
Specific condition details |
| District nurse |
Care needs observed |
| Carer (formal) |
Day-to-day difficulties |
| Family carer |
Personal observations |
Getting Evidence from GP
| Approach |
Detail |
| Request letter |
May cost £20-50 |
| Ask them to complete form pages |
Some GPs will do this |
| Give them your form |
So they know what to cover |
Processing Time and Payment
Timeline
| Stage |
Typical Time |
| Receive form |
1-2 weeks |
| Complete and return |
4-6 weeks (recommended) |
| DWP assessment |
4-12 weeks |
| Decision letter |
After assessment |
| First payment |
2-4 weeks after approval |
Payment Method
| Option |
Detail |
| Bank account |
Direct to your account |
| Building society |
With suitable account |
| Payment frequency |
Usually every 4 weeks |
Backdating
| Rule |
Detail |
| Claim date |
Date DWP receives your form |
| Up to 3 months back |
If you qualified then |
| Phone first |
Protects claim date |
If Your Claim Is Refused
Mandatory Reconsideration
| Step |
Detail |
| Deadline |
Within 1 month |
| How |
Write to DWP explaining why you disagree |
| Include |
New evidence if available |
| Response time |
Usually 2-4 weeks |
Appeal to Tribunal
| Step |
Detail |
| After failed MR |
Can appeal |
| SSCS1 form |
Free to submit |
| Hearing |
Usually 3-6 months later |
| Success rate |
Many appeals succeed |
Getting Help with Appeals
| Organization |
What They Offer |
| Age UK |
Form help and appeals |
| Citizens Advice |
Free support |
| Local council welfare rights |
Free service |
| Disability charities |
Condition-specific help |
What AA Unlocks
Increased Pension Credit
| Effect |
Detail |
| Severe disability addition |
If living alone with AA |
| Extra amount |
£81.50/week potentially |
| Need to tell DWP |
They don’t always link claims |
Council Tax Reduction
| Effect |
Detail |
| SMI exemption |
May qualify for extra reduction |
| Severe mental impairment |
Different exemption |
| Apply to council |
Separate application |
Carer’s Allowance
| Effect |
Detail |
| Your carer can claim |
If caring 35+ hours/week |
| Amount |
£81.90/week |
| Carer must earn under |
£151/week |
Housing Benefit/UC Housing
| Effect |
Detail |
| Extra bedroom |
May qualify for spare room |
| Exempt from bedroom tax |
In some cases |
Blue Badge
| Effect |
Detail |
| Easier to apply |
AA supports application |
| Higher rate AA |
Automatic in some areas |
Living in a Care Home
State-Funded Care
| Situation |
Can Claim AA? |
| Local authority pays |
Usually no |
| After 28 days |
Stops during stay |
| NHS continuing care |
Usually no |
Self-Funded Care
| Situation |
Can Claim AA? |
| Paying own fees |
Yes |
| Part-funded |
Depends on arrangement |
| Home bought out by LA |
May affect claim |
Hospital Stays
How Hospital Affects AA
| Duration |
Effect |
| Under 28 days |
AA continues |
| 28+ days |
AA stops |
| Return home |
Payments restart |
| Different admissions |
28 days resets if gap |
What Counts as Hospital
| Counts |
Doesn’t Count |
| NHS hospital |
Care home |
| Psychiatric hospital |
Hospice (usually) |
| Private hospital (NHS funded) |
Private hospital (self-funded) |
Special Rules for Terminal Illness
Fast-Track Claims
| Feature |
Detail |
| Life expectancy |
Under 12 months |
| Evidence |
DS1500 from doctor/nurse |
| Processing |
Usually within days |
| Rate |
Automatic higher rate |
| 6-month rule |
Doesn’t apply |
Review and Renewal
Award Lengths
| Type |
Duration |
| Fixed award |
1-5 years |
| Indefinite |
Ongoing |
| Review |
May be called for assessment |
Reporting Changes
| Report |
Don’t Report |
| Going into hospital |
Condition fluctuating |
| Moving abroad |
Slight improvements |
| Care home entry |
Getting more informal help |
Attendance Allowance Checklist
Before Applying
| Prepare |
Done? |
| Know your State Pension age |
|
| List all health conditions |
|
| Note all medications |
|
| Think about daily difficulties |
|
| Consider day AND night needs |
|
| Include |
Done? |
| All conditions listed |
|
| Worst days described |
|
| What help you’d need (even if not getting) |
|
| Falls or safety risks |
|
| Night-time needs |
|
| Supporting evidence |
|
| Kept a photocopy |
|
After Submitting
| Action |
Done? |
| Note date sent |
|
| Await decision (8-12 weeks) |
|
| If refused, request MR within 1 month |
|
| If awarded, tell Pension Credit/Council Tax |
|