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.

Understanding Constant Attendance Allowance in the UK

2026-03-08 by Elder Care

Confused about Constant Attendance Allowance? Elder Care can help you secure the Attendance Allowance you deserve. Free eligibility check or call 01702 938110.

It's a common misconception, particularly among older individuals and their families, to confuse 'Constant Attendance Allowance' with the benefit that most people aged 66 and over are eligible for: Attendance Allowance. While they sound similar, they are actually distinct benefits with different eligibility criteria and purposes.

At Elder Care, we focus on helping eligible individuals successfully claim Attendance Allowance. However, it's important to understand the difference, as some people may enquire about the 'Constant Attendance Allowance' when they are truly eligible for Attendance Allowance.

What is Constant Attendance Allowance?

Constant Attendance Allowance (CAA) is a benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to individuals who require constant supervision and care due to a severe disability. Crucially, CAA is only payable if you are already receiving or are applying for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or War Disablement Pension.

This means that for the vast majority of older people seeking help with care costs due to age-related conditions, Parkinson's, dementia, arthritis, or frailty, CAA is not the benefit they should be applying for. Instead, it is Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance: The Benefit for Most Over 66

Attendance Allowance is specifically designed for people who have reached State Pension age (currently 66 and above) who need help with personal care or supervision due to a physical or mental disability or illness. You don't need to have a carer to claim it, nor do you need to be receiving Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or a War Disablement Pension.

The key is that your disability or illness means you need care and attention for at least six months. This could include help with:

Washing, dressing, or using the toilet
Getting in and out of bed
Eating and drinking
Managing medication
Supervision to keep you safe (e.g., if you're prone to falls or have dementia)
Communication difficulties
Dealing with incontinence

Attendance Allowance is paid at two rates:

Lower rate: £76.70 a week (£3,988.40 annually) for those who need help either day *or* night.
Higher rate: £114.60 a week (£5,959.20 annually) for those who need help both day *and* night, or are terminally ill.

This tax-free benefit is paid every four weeks directly into your bank account, providing a welcome boost of £306.80 or £458.40 every month. It doesn't matter how much income you have or how much savings you hold – it's not means-tested.

Why is Attendance Allowance Claims So Challenging?

While the concept of Attendance Allowance seems straightforward, the application process is notoriously complex, and many eligible people are sadly rejected or only awarded the lower rate when they should qualify for the higher.

The DWP's AA1 claim form is a lengthy document, often over 40 pages long. It requires substantial detail about your daily care needs, how your condition affects you, and the specific help you require. Common pitfalls include:

Understating your needs: Many older individuals, out of pride or simply having adapted to their challenges, downplay the difficulties they face. For example, someone with severe arthritis might say they can 'manage' to get dressed, when in reality, it takes them an hour, causes significant pain, and requires special tools.
Lack of specific examples: The DWP needs concrete examples of how your condition impacts you. Simply stating 'I have dementia' isn't enough. You need to detail specific instances where you've forgotten medication, left the cooker on, become disoriented, or needed supervision to prevent wandering.
Focusing on diagnoses, not care needs: The form isn't a medical questionnaire; it's about your care needs. A diagnosis of Parkinson's is important, but the form needs to explain how the tremors affect your ability to eat unassisted, or how impaired mobility makes bathing a high-risk activity.
Ignoring 'hidden' needs: Mental health needs are often overlooked. Anxiety, depression, or confusion from dementia can require just as much supervision and care as physical disabilities, especially for safety.
Incomplete evidence: The form asks for significant detail that many struggle to provide accurately and comprehensively. Sending an incomplete or poorly evidenced form is a common reason for rejection.

Consider Mrs. Davies, 82, living with advanced osteoarthritis and early-stage dementia. She can walk short distances with a frame but struggles with stairs and personal care. She initially thought she wouldn't qualify, believing her needs weren't 'constant attendance'. Her family helped her tick a few boxes on the form, but it lacked the crucial detail. Mrs. Davies was initially rejected.

When Elder Care reviewed her situation, we gathered detailed accounts: her need for help showering due to pain and balance issues (daytime care), the supervision required at night to prevent falls during toilet visits and ensure she didn't leave the house confused (night-time care). These specific, vivid examples, properly structured in the application, are what made the difference.

Why Professional Help Makes All the Difference

Navigating the Attendance Allowance form can be a source of significant stress and frustration for older applicants and their families. While the DWP has an online application, it offers limited space for the detailed evidence required to secure the higher rate, or even an award at all. It often acts more like an initial screening, making it difficult to fully convey the complexity of your care needs.

At Elder Care, we specialise in helping individuals aged 66 and over with their Attendance Allowance claims. Our service is designed to alleviate the burden and maximise your chances of a successful application at the correct rate. We understand the specific language and evidence the DWP looks for, ensuring your application accurately reflects your needs.

We offer a dedicated, managed service:

Expert Guidance: We gather comprehensive information about your care needs through detailed consultations.
Robust Applications: We meticulously complete the 40+ page AA1 paper form on your behalf, ensuring all relevant information and specific examples are included.
Higher Success Rates: Our experience significantly improves the likelihood of a successful claim and securing the higher rate where appropriate.
Peace of Mind: We manage the entire process, reducing stress for you and your family.

Our service operates on a No-Win-No-Fee basis. You only pay our success fee of £430 if your Attendance Allowance claim is awarded. There is no upfront cost, so there's no risk in seeking our expert support.

Don't let the complexity of the application process deter you from claiming the financial support you are entitled to. Attendance Allowance can make a real difference to quality of life, helping to cover care costs, adapt your home, or simply provide more financial freedom.

Ready to explore your eligibility?

Take the first step towards securing your Attendance Allowance. You can either:

Submit our free online Eligibility Check: Visit /eligibility-check to quickly see if you might qualify.
Call our friendly team today: Call 01702 938110 for a no-obligation chat about your circumstances. We're here to help.

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