Attendance Allowance

Published

19/08/21

Am I eligible for Attendance Allowance?

To be eligible for Attendance Allowance you must have reached State Pension age. It has a lower rate and a higher rate and your care and supervision needs are assessed to find out which rate you qualify for.

The assessment looks at whether you need frequent attention from a carer to help with bodily functions, like dressing, eating, bathing and going to the toilet, or continual supervision to prevent any dangers to yourself or others, during the day and/or night.

You must have had these care needs for at least six months and expect them to continue.

Unlike Personal Independence Payment or Adult Disability Payment (Scotland), Attendance Allowance does not have a mobility component so it does not assess whether your disability affects your ability to get around.

Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, which means your income and savings are ignored when checking if you are entitled to this benefit. It is also ignored as income when calculating entitlement to other benefits so it won’t reduce any benefits you already get. In fact, if you get Attendance Allowance you will qualify for extra amounts called disability premiums in other benefits like Pension Credit. It is always worth doing a new benefit check if you become entitled to Attendance Allowance.

How much Attendance Allowance could I get?

Attendance Allowance is paid at either a lower weekly rate of £72.65 or a higher weekly rate of £108.55.

How can I claim Attendance Allowance?

You can download a claim form to print off and send from the GOV.UK Attendance Allowance webpage.

You can also get a claim form by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. For other methods of contact see the GOV.UK website.

If you are in Northern Ireland you can print off and fill in an Attendance Allowance claim form from NI Direct’s Attendance Allowance webpage or you can contact the Disability and Carer’s Service and ask for a claim form to be sent to you. You can also get a claim form from your local Jobs and Benefits office.