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 Savings & Eligibility

2026-03-08 by Attendance Allowance Help

Clear answers: Is Attendance Allowance means-tested in the UK? Discover if your savings or income impact eligibility. Get help with your claim.

Does Attendance Allowance Depend on Your Savings or Income?

It's a question we hear often: "Is Attendance Allowance means-tested? Will my savings or pension affect my eligibility?" The good news, and a very important point to understand, is no, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested.

This means that the amount of money you have in savings, your private pension, or any other income will not be taken into account when the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) assesses your claim. This benefit is awarded purely based on your care needs due to a disability or health condition, not your financial circumstances.

This fundamental difference sets Attendance Allowance apart from many other benefits and means that countless older people who might have significant savings or a good private pension could still be entitled to substantial financial support. All you need is to be over State Pension age and have care needs.

What Exactly Does "Not Means-Tested" Mean for You?

For you and your family, this clarity is invaluable. It means:

No impact from savings: Whether you have five thousand pounds or fifty thousand pounds (or more) in the bank, it will not influence your Attendance Allowance claim.
No impact from income: Your occupational pension, private investments, or any other income streams are not relevant to your eligibility.
Focus on care needs: The DWP's assessment will solely concentrate on how your health condition impacts your daily life and the care or supervision you require.

This policy ensures that financial support for care is accessible to those who need it most, regardless of their financial prudence or life savings.

So, What Does Determine Attendance Allowance Eligibility?

Since your finances aren't a factor, what does the DWP look at? They focus entirely on your personal care needs and supervision requirements due to a physical or mental disability or illness. Here are the key criteria:

Age: You must have reached State Pension age (currently 66 or over).
Care Needs: You must have needed help with personal care or supervision for at least six months due to a physical or mental health condition. (This six-month rule doesn't apply if you're terminally ill).
Residency: You must meet certain residency requirements, usually meaning you've been in Great Britain for at least two of the last three years.

The 'care needs' aspect is the most crucial part of your application. This includes difficulties with tasks such as:

Washing, dressing, eating (e.g., due to severe arthritis, Parkinson's tremors)
Going to the toilet or managing incontinence
Moving around safely, preventing falls (e.g., due to frailty, balance issues)
Managing medication (e.g., for dementia, complex health conditions)
Communicating (e.g., speech difficulties post-stroke)
Mental health support (e.g., supervision for confusion, anxiety, depression related to dementia or other cognitive impairments)
Night-time care (e.g., needing help to toilet, frequent disturbances due to pain, wandering with dementia)

Understanding the Two Rates of Attendance Allowance

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

Lower Rate: £76.70 a week
Awarded if you need frequent help or supervision throughout the *day* OR repeated help or supervision during the *night*.
This amounts to £306.80 every four weeks, or £3,988.40 annually.

Higher Rate: £114.60 a week
Awarded if you need frequent help or supervision throughout the *day* AND repeated help or supervision during the *night*, OR if you're terminally ill.
This amounts to £458.40 every four weeks, or £5,959.20 annually.

These tax-free payments can make a significant difference, helping to cover the costs of care, adaptations, or simply ease financial pressures.

The Complexity of the Application Process: Why Expert Help Matters

While the "not means-tested" aspect sounds wonderfully straightforward, the application itself is anything but. The AA1 paper form is over 40 pages long and requires a detailed, consistent, and highly specific picture of your daily care needs. Many deserving individuals are turned down simply because their application doesn't provide the DWP with the necessary evidence in the right way.

Common pitfalls include:

Understating needs: Many older people minimise their difficulties, not wanting to be a burden or genuinely believing their struggles are 'normal for their age'.
Lack of detail: The form asks for examples of help needed, but many applicants provide too brief or general answers.
Focusing on illness, not care: The DWP needs to know how illness translates into *care needs*, not just the diagnosis itself.
Inconsistent information: Discrepancies between different sections or with medical evidence can lead to rejection.

The DWP has recently introduced an online application, but this often provides even less opportunity to articulate the nuanced, specific care needs that are crucial for a successful claim, especially for the higher rate. It asks far fewer detailed questions than the paper form, making it even harder to fully evidence your situation.

This is where our service proves invaluable. We specialise in helping older people and their families navigate this complex process. We understand exactly what evidence the DWP is looking for and how to present your case clearly and compellingly, maximising your chances of a successful claim and the correct award rate.

Secure Your Attendance Allowance with Elder Care

Don't let the thought of complex forms or concerns about your savings stop you from claiming the Attendance Allowance you deserve. Your financial situation will not be scrutinised.

At Elder Care, we handle the entire application process on your behalf. There's no win, no fee – you only pay our success fee of £430 if your claim is awarded. This means you have nothing to lose by exploring your eligibility.

Ready to find out if you qualify?

Take our free online Eligibility Check: Visit /eligibility-check to start today.
Or, speak to our friendly team directly: Call us on 01702 938110 for a confidential chat about your situation.

Let us help you secure the financial support you're entitled to, ensuring peace of mind for you and your family.

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