Attendance Allowance eligibility checker
Attendance Allowance is for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision to stay safe. It is not means tested. Answer these questions to see which rate you are likely to be assessed at.
Uses 2026/27 tax year rates, checked 2 August 2026.
What this tool does not do
- It does not make a decision. Only the DWP, your council or the NHS can do that.
- It does not consider the special rules for people who are terminally ill, which bypass the qualifying period and pay the higher rate automatically.
- If you are under State Pension age you should look at PIP instead, which works on a different points system.
- It is an estimate based on published rules and 2026/27 rates, not advice.
Common questions
Is Attendance Allowance means tested?
No. Attendance Allowance is not means tested and is not taxable. Your income, savings, pension and whether you own your home make no difference to whether you get it or how much you get.
Do I need to already have a carer to claim?
No. The test is whether you need help or supervision, not whether you actually receive it. Many successful claimants live alone and manage without help, which is exactly the situation the benefit exists for.
Does having a diagnosis matter?
Not directly. Attendance Allowance is assessed on the help you need with personal care and staying safe, not on your condition. Two people with the same diagnosis can get different outcomes.
How long do I need to have needed help?
Normally 6 months before payment can start. The exception is if you are terminally ill, when claims are fast tracked under the special rules and the qualifying period does not apply.
Will claiming affect my other benefits?
It usually increases them. Attendance Allowance can qualify you for extra amounts of Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, and it can let a carer claim Carer’s Allowance. It is not deducted from anything.