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.

Attendance Allowance Special Rules for Terminal Illness

2026-03-08 by Elder Care

Understand the Attendance Allowance Special Rules for terminal illness. Elder Care helps families secure the higher rate award. Free eligibility check or call.

Dealing with a terminal illness is an incredibly difficult time for individuals and their families. At Elder Care, we understand that financial worries should be the last thing on your mind. That's why we want to explain how Attendance Allowance Special Rules can provide faster, essential financial support when someone is deemed terminally ill.

What are the Attendance Allowance 'Special Rules'?

Ordinarily, applying for Attendance Allowance involves a detailed, often lengthy process, where the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) assesses your care needs over a six-month period. However, under the 'Special Rules', if a medical professional confirms the person's life expectancy is 12 months or less, this six-month qualifying period is waived. The result? A much faster decision and an immediate award of the higher rate of Attendance Allowance.

This means you could receive £114.60 per week, paid every four weeks (£458.40), for a total of £5,959.20 per year. This crucial funding is not means-tested, meaning it doesn't matter what your income or savings are, and it's tax-free.

Who Qualifies Under Special Rules?

The key to qualifying under Special Rules is a medical prognosis from a doctor (or other relevant healthcare professional) stating that the person's illness is expected to be terminal with a life expectancy of 12 months or less. This might be due to a range of conditions, including:

Advanced cancer
Severe heart conditions
End-stage lung disease
Progressive neurological conditions like advanced Parkinson's disease or Motor Neurone Disease
End-stage dementia
Significant organ failure

It's important to note that the focus is on the prognosis, not just the diagnosis. While the condition itself might be debilitating, the 'Special Rules' apply specifically when a terminal prognosis has been given.

Why is the Higher Rate Awarded Automatically?

The DWP recognises that individuals with a terminal illness will, by definition, have significant care needs both day and night, regardless of the specific condition. This might involve:

Frequent help with personal care: Washing, dressing, using the toilet, managing incontinence.
Supervision for safety: Preventing falls, wandering (especially with dementia), or ensuring medication is taken correctly.
Support with mobility: Getting in and out of bed, moving around the home, using adaptive equipment.
Assistance with medical treatments: Administering medication, managing pain, dealing with side effects of treatment.
Help with communication or emotional distress: Due to the debilitating nature of their illness.

These needs inherently meet the criteria for the higher rate of Attendance Allowance, which is designed for those requiring care throughout both the day and night.

The Application Process for Special Rules

While the qualifying period is waived, the application itself still needs to be handled carefully. The DWP's standard paper application form (AA1) is over 40 pages long and can be incredibly daunting, especially for someone who is unwell or their family under stress. For Special Rules claims, the crucial element is what's known as a DS1500 medical report (or SR1 for Scotland). This form is completed by the medical professional, such as a GP, hospital doctor, or specialist nurse, confirming the terminal prognosis.

Instead of trying to navigate the complex AA1 form yourself, Elder Care's service simplifies this process significantly. We understand the specific wording and evidence the DWP looks for, even under Special Rules, to ensure your application is successful and stress-free during such a sensitive time.

#### Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

Even with Special Rules, mistakes on the application can cause delays or even rejection:

Missing or incomplete DS1500/SR1: The DWP cannot process a Special Rules claim without this vital document.
Incorrectly completed AA1 form: While simplified by the DS1500, other sections of the AA1 still need accurate information about the individual and their circumstances.
Lack of clarity in communication: Ensuring all supporting information clearly links to the terminal prognosis and the immediate need for care.

Opting for the DWP's new online application might seem appealing for speed, but it lacks the detailed evidential sections of the paper form. This makes it challenging to provide the full picture of complex care needs, potentially leading to misunderstandings or requests for further information that extend the processing time, even under Special Rules.

How Elder Care Can Help

At Elder Care, we specialise in Attendance Allowance applications, including those under Special Rules. We work with families across the UK to ensure individuals receive the financial support they are entitled to, quickly and with dignity. Our service includes:

Expert guidance: We explain the process clearly and answer all your questions.
Managed application: We handle the entire application process, from gathering information to liaising with medical professionals for the DS1500/SR1 and submitting the comprehensive AA1 form.
Stress reduction: We remove the burden of bureaucracy from you and your family during a challenging time.
No Win, No Fee: You only pay our success fee of £430 if the Attendance Allowance is awarded.

We are here to help secure this vital income quickly, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.

Don't Delay – Get the Support You Deserve

If you or someone you care for has received a terminal prognosis, please don't hesitate to explore whether Attendance Allowance Special Rules apply. This financial support can make a genuine difference, covering costs for additional care, equipment, or simply providing peace of mind.

Let us help you navigate this process with compassion and expertise.

Start by checking your free eligibility online today at eldercareuk.co.uk/eligibility-check or speak to our friendly, experienced team directly on 01702 938110. We're here to help.

Check Your Eligibility Free