What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free DWP benefit for people over State Pension age (66) who need help with personal care due to illness or disability. You can claim up to £5,959 per year (£114.60 per week at the higher rate). It's not means-tested, so your savings and income don't affect eligibility.

What are the Attendance Allowance rates?

There are two Attendance Allowance rates: Lower rate of £76.70 per week (£3,988/year) for frequent help during day OR supervision at night, and Higher rate of £114.60 per week (£5,959/year) for help or supervision throughout both day AND night. Rates are set by the DWP and reviewed annually.

What is the Attendance Allowance eligibility criteria?

To be eligible for Attendance Allowance you must: be State Pension age (66) or over, have needed help for at least 6 months (unless terminally ill), need help with personal care or supervision, and have been in the UK for at least 2 of the last 3 years. You cannot claim if receiving PIP or DLA.

How do I apply for Attendance Allowance?

You can apply for Attendance Allowance by completing form AA1 from the DWP, available online at GOV.UK or by phone on 0800 731 0122. Alternatively, our expert service helps you complete the Attendance Allowance application form correctly with a 95% success rate and no-win, no-fee guarantee.

Can I get help with my Attendance Allowance form?

Yes! Many people find the DWP Attendance Allowance form complex. Our service provides expert help completing your Attendance Allowance application form, ensuring all questions are answered correctly to maximize your chances of approval. We only charge £430 if your claim is successful.

What is the higher rate Attendance Allowance?

The higher rate Attendance Allowance is £114.60 per week (£5,959 per year). You qualify for the higher rate if you need help or supervision throughout both day and night, or if you're terminally ill (under Special Rules for Terminal Illness).

Can I claim Attendance Allowance and PIP together?

No, you cannot claim Attendance Allowance and PIP (Personal Independence Payment) at the same time. Attendance Allowance is for people over State Pension age, while PIP is for those under State Pension age. If you receive DLA, you may be able to switch to Attendance Allowance when you reach State Pension age.

Does Attendance Allowance affect Council Tax Reduction?

No, receiving Attendance Allowance does NOT affect your Council Tax Reduction. In fact, getting Attendance Allowance may help you qualify for additional Council Tax discounts, such as the Severe Mental Impairment exemption. Attendance Allowance is also disregarded when calculating Housing Benefit and Pension Credit.

Can I claim Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance?

Yes! You can claim both Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance. Getting Attendance Allowance may actually increase your Pension Credit payments through the Severe Disability Addition. This can add over £81 per week extra to your Pension Credit if you live alone and receive Attendance Allowance.

What is the DWP Attendance Allowance contact number?

The DWP Attendance Allowance helpline number is 0800 731 0122 (free from UK landlines and mobiles). Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. You can also contact our specialist service on 01702 655034 for expert help with your Attendance Allowance application.

Is Attendance Allowance Means-Tested? Your Questions Answered

2026-03-08 by Attendance Allowance Help

Unsure if Attendance Allowance is means-tested? Our guide explains how this vital benefit works, how to qualify, and how Elder Care can help you secure it.

Understanding Attendance Allowance: A Crucial Benefit for Older People

Attendance Allowance is a vital non-means-tested benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) designed to help people over State Pension age with the extra costs of needing support with daily living due to a disability or illness. It's not about what your condition is, but rather how much help you need because of it. This can be a huge relief for many families facing increasing care costs.

Is Attendance Allowance "Means-Tested"? The Direct Answer

Let's get straight to the point: No, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested.

This is excellent news for many older people and their families. What does "not means-tested" actually mean?

It means that when the DWP assesses your claim for Attendance Allowance, they do not take into account:

Your personal income (e.g., pensions, investments)
Your savings
Any other capital you may have
Your National Insurance contributions history

This makes Attendance Allowance unique compared to several other DWP benefits. Your financial situation is entirely irrelevant to your eligibility. The DWP's focus is solely on your care needs arising from your health conditions.

Why is Attendance Allowance Not Means-Tested?

The design of Attendance Allowance is specifically to contribute towards the additional costs faced when someone requires constant care or supervision. These costs could include things like personal care, help around the home, or supervision to prevent accidents. Because these needs arise from health conditions, not financial circumstances, the benefit is awarded universally to those who meet the care criteria, regardless of their wealth.

Who Can Claim Attendance Allowance?

You can claim Attendance Allowance if you meet *all* of the following conditions:

You have reached State Pension age.
You have a physical or mental disability or illness (including learning difficulties, Parkinson's disease, dementia, arthritis, or conditions causing frailty, falls, or incontinence) severe enough that you need help with your personal care or supervision to keep you safe.
You have needed this help for at least 6 months (unless you are terminally ill).

It's important to remember that you don't need to be receiving care from another person to qualify. If you *would* benefit from care, even if you are not currently getting it, you may still be eligible.

What Does "Help with Personal Care or Supervision" Really Mean?

This is where many people misunderstand Attendance Allowance. It's not just about needing assistance with bathing or dressing. "Personal care" is a broad term that includes:

Getting in and out of bed
Washing, bathing, or showering
Dressing and undressing
Eating and drinking (e.g., needing food cut up, prompts to remember to eat)
Managing medication (e.g., needing reminders, help opening bottles)
Using the toilet (e.g., needing help getting there, assistance with continence products)
Communication (e.g., help understanding or being understood)
Mobility indoors (e.g., needing help moving safely around the home)

"Supervision" is also crucial, especially for conditions like dementia, or if you are prone to falls. This could mean:

Keeping you safe from harm (e.g., preventing falls, wandering, accidental fires)
Supervision for medication management
Guidance and prompting (e.g., reminding you to eat, drink, or take medication)
Supervision during the night due to agitation, pain, or bladder issues that require help.

How Much Could You Receive?

Attendance Allowance is paid at two rates, depending on the level of care and supervision you need:

Lower Rate: £76.70 per week

(Equivalent to £306.80 every 4 weeks, or £3,988.40 per year)

Awarded if you need frequent help or supervision throughout the day OR supervision during the night.

Higher Rate: £114.60 per week

(Equivalent to £458.40 every 4 weeks, or £5,959.20 per year)

Awarded if you need frequent help or supervision throughout both the day AND the night, or if you are terminally ill.

These amounts are designed to help with the substantial costs associated with needing care and can make a real difference to quality of life.

Why Applying for Attendance Allowance Can Be Challenging

Even though Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, securing an award can be surprisingly difficult. The DWP's application form (AA1) is a detailed 40+ page document that requires a very specific approach to evidencing your care needs.

Common pitfalls include:

Understating needs: Many people, especially older individuals who are stoic or have always been independent, unintentionally downplay the help they need.
Focusing on diagnosis, not impact: The form isn't interested in *what* your diagnosis is as much as *how it affects* your daily life and the help you consequently need.
Lack of specific examples: Generic statements like "I'm a bit unsteady" aren't enough. The DWP needs concrete examples, such as "I lost my balance 3 times last week trying to get out of the shower and needed my partner to help me," or "I'm unable to prepare a hot meal without supervision due to memory issues and leaving the hob on."
Ignoring 'hidden' needs: Needs related to supervision, prompting, or managing incontinence often go unmentioned but are crucial for a successful claim.
Stress and overwhelm: Filling out such a lengthy and personal form can be incredibly stressful and emotionally draining for older applicants and their family members.

While the DWP has introduced an online application, it often falls short of allowing applicants to provide the detailed, specific, and impactful evidence that the paper form, when completed correctly, demands. This can unfortunately lead to lower awards or even rejections because the full picture of someone's care needs isn't adequately presented.

How Elder Care Can Help

At Elder Care, we specialise in helping people over State Pension age apply for Attendance Allowance. Our service removes the stress and complexity of the application process.

We understand the intricacies of the AA1 form and know exactly how to present your case to the DWP in a way that maximises your chances of a successful award. Our expert team will:

Conduct a thorough consultation to understand your unique care needs.
Gather all necessary information and supporting evidence.
Complete the entire 40+ page application form on your behalf, ensuring every detail is accurately and effectively presented.
Handle all communication with the DWP.

We operate on a No-Win-No-Fee basis. You only pay our success fee of £430 if your Attendance Allowance claim is awarded. There is truly nothing to lose but the burden of a complex application.

Ready to Explore Your Eligibility?

Don't let the complexity of the DWP forms deter you from claiming the financial support you are entitled to. Remember, your income and savings will not affect your Attendance Allowance claim.

Take the first step towards securing this valuable benefit today:

Complete our free, no-obligation online Eligibility Check at /eligibility-check
Or, speak directly with our friendly expert team by calling 01702 938110.

We are here to help you navigate the process with ease and confidence.

Check Your Eligibility Free