Attendance Allowance
A weekly payment for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision. Not means tested, not taxable.
Figures on this page are 2026/27 tax year rates, checked 2 August 2026. UK benefit rates and care charging thresholds change every April.
Attendance Allowance helps with the extra costs of a long term illness or disability if you are State Pension age or over.
The rates
| Rate | Weekly | Yearly | For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | £76.70 | £3,988 | Frequent help or supervision during the day, or supervision at night |
| Higher | £114.60 | £5,959 | Help or supervision throughout both day and night, or nearing the end of life |
Who can claim
You need to:
- Be State Pension age or over (under that age, claim PIP instead)
- Need help with personal care or supervision to stay safe
- Have needed that help for at least 6 months, unless you are terminally ill
- Meet residence conditions
You do not need a diagnosis of anything specific, a carer, or a low income.
What counts as needing help
Personal care: washing, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, eating, taking medication, moving around indoors.
Supervision: needing someone to keep you safe because of falls, confusion, seizures, blackouts, or not recognising danger.
The rule that matters: it is the help you need, not the help you receive.
What it can unlock
Attendance Allowance is a gateway benefit. Getting it can also:
- Increase Pension Credit through the severe disability addition
- Increase Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction
- Let a carer claim Carer’s Allowance, £86.45 a week
- Support a Blue Badge application
It is never deducted from another benefit, so claiming cannot leave you worse off.
How to claim
Phone the DWP for a form rather than downloading one. The form is stamped with the date of your call, and returning it within six weeks backdates your claim to that date. At the higher rate that is worth over £680.
Then read our guides on filling in the form and the mistakes that get claims refused.
Check first
Our Attendance Allowance checker runs the same day and night tests the DWP uses.
Common questions
How much is Attendance Allowance?
£76.70 a week at the lower rate, for help or supervision during the day or at night. £114.60 a week at the higher rate, for help both day and night, or if you are nearing the end of life.
Is Attendance Allowance means tested?
No. Your income, savings, pension and property make no difference. It is also not taxable and is never deducted from another benefit.
Do I need a carer to claim?
No. The test is the help you need, not the help you get. People who live alone and manage without help regularly qualify.
How long does it take?
Usually a few weeks. Decisions are made on the form alone in most cases, with no face to face assessment. Payment is backdated to the date of your claim.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Attendance Allowance accessed 2 August 2026
- DWP benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 accessed 2 August 2026
This page is general information about how care funding works in England. It is not financial, legal or medical advice, and it does not replace an assessment by your local council or the NHS. Carevo is not a care provider.