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.

Disability Living Allowance vs. Attendance Allowance Explained

Q: 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.

2026-03-08 by Elder Care

Understand the key differences between DLA and Attendance Allowance in the UK. Elder Care helps those 66+ claim their Attendance Allowance. Free Eligibility Check.

For many, navigating the UK's benefits system can feel like deciphering a complex puzzle. Terms like 'Disability Living Allowance' (DLA) and 'Attendance Allowance' (AA) are often heard, leading to confusion about who can claim what. This guide aims to clear up these differences, focusing on Attendance Allowance which supports those aged 66 and over.

Are DLA and Attendance Allowance the same?

No, they are not the same, though both provide financial support for people with long-term health conditions or disabilities. The primary distinction lies in the age group they serve. Think of it this way:

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is generally for children and young adults (under 16).
Attendance Allowance (AA) is specifically for pensioners (aged 66 and over).

If you're reading this, or are a family member looking into support for an older loved one, your focus will almost certainly be on Attendance Allowance.

What is Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?

DLA is a benefit administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that helps with the extra costs of a child's care and mobility needs if they have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. It has a 'care component' and a 'mobility component'.

DLA is *not* available to new claimants aged 16 or over. For adults under State Pension age, DLA has largely been replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP). An existing DLA claimant will typically transition to PIP when they turn 16 unless they were born on or before 8 April 1948 and were already receiving DLA at that time. Given our specialisation, we focus here on Attendance Allowance for those aged 66 and above.

What is Attendance Allowance (AA)?

Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested, tax-free benefit for people who have reached State Pension age (currently 66) and need help with personal care or supervision because of a physical or mental disability or illness. This includes conditions like arthritis, dementia, Parkinson's disease, incontinence, frailty leading to falls, or even a sudden deterioration in health following an operation or illness.

Crucially, you don't need to currently receive care to qualify for Attendance Allowance. What matters is that you *need* care or supervision, even if a loved one provides it for free or you manage to cope without help, perhaps at risk to yourself.

Key aspects of Attendance Allowance:

Age Requirement: You must be 66 or over.
Care Needs: You must have needed help for at least 6 months (unless you're terminally ill).
Non-Means Tested: Your savings and income don't affect your eligibility.
Tax-Free: The benefit is not subject to income tax.
No Mobility Component: Unlike DLA or PIP, Attendance Allowance does not include a component for mobility difficulties.

Attendance Allowance Rates (2026 figures):

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

Lower Rate: £76.70 a week
Awarded if you need help frequently throughout the day *or* night.
This equates to £306.80 every four weeks, or £3,988.40 annually.
Higher Rate: £114.60 a week
Awarded if you need help both day *and* night, or if you are terminally ill.
This equates to £458.40 every four weeks, or £5,959.20 annually.

Real-World Examples of Care Needs for AA:

What kind of help counts? It's broader than you might think. Here are some common scenarios:

Dementia: An individual with early-stage dementia might need prompting to take medication, supervision to ensure they don't wander off, or help with remembering to eat or maintain personal hygiene.
Severe Arthritis: Someone with advanced arthritis might struggle with dressing, washing, using the toilet, preparing meals, or getting in and out of bed. They might need help to apply creams or use assistive devices.
Parkinson's Disease: A person with Parkinson's could require assistance with mobility, balance (to prevent falls), eating difficulties due to tremors, or managing complex medication timings.
Frailty and Falls: An older person who is generally frail and prone to falls might need someone to be present for reassurance when they move around the home, or physical assistance to get up if they do fall.
Incontinence: Requiring help to change clothing or bedding, or needing prompting to use the toilet, counts as a care need. The supervision required due to potential accidents also applies.
Medication Management: If someone needs help remembering *when* and *how* to take their medication, or requires physical assistance to open pill bottles or administer eye drops, this is a valid care need.
Supervision for Safety: This is particularly important for conditions affecting cognitive function. For instance, someone with short-term memory loss might need supervision to ensure they don't leave the gas on, or become confused and put themselves at risk. The 'threat to life or health' aspect of supervision is key.

It's about the help you need, not just the help you currently receive. Even if a partner or family member provides this care unpaid, or you manage to struggle through, the *need* for assistance is what counts.

Why is the Attendance Allowance Application so Challenging?

The DWP's Attendance Allowance application form (AA1) is a detailed, 40+ page document. While an online application has recently been introduced, it often provides far less opportunity to fully explain and evidence the complex, often subtle, care needs of older people. This can unfortunately lead to lower awards or even rejections.

The paper form requires very specific evidence of how a condition impacts daily life, day and night. It’s not enough to simply state a diagnosis; you must thoroughly describe the help required, the frequency of that help, and the risks of not receiving it. Common pitfalls include:

Understating Needs: Many older individuals, accustomed to being independent, downplay the difficulties they face or the help they receive from family.
Lack of Detail: Generic descriptions like 'I need help with washing' are insufficient. The DWP needs to know *what specific steps* are difficult, *how long* it takes, *what kind of help* is given, and *why* it's needed (e.g., 'Due to severe arthritis in my hands, I cannot grip bottles and need help to open shampoo and wash my hair. This happens every morning and takes an extra 15 minutes.').
Missing Night-Time Needs: Many forget to mention difficulties encountered during the night, such as needing help to use the toilet, turn over in bed, or being reassured due to anxiety or confusion.
Focusing on Illness, Not Impact: The DWP assesses the *impact* of the illness on daily living, not just the diagnosis itself.

This is where a managed service like Elder Care can make a significant difference. We understand the specific language and detail the DWP looks for, ensuring your application accurately reflects your or your loved one's true care needs.

How Elder Care Can Help You Claim Attendance Allowance

Navigating the Attendance Allowance application process can be stressful and complex, especially for older individuals and their family carers. At Elder Care, we specialise in helping people aged 66 and over successfully claim the Attendance Allowance they are entitled to. We understand the nuances of the AA1 form and how to present your case effectively to the DWP.

Our service is designed to remove the burden from you. We guide you through gathering the necessary information, articulate your care needs powerfully, and manage the entire application process on your behalf. We focus on securing the highest possible award for you.

There's no upfront cost to you. Our service operates on a No-Win-No-Fee basis. You only pay our success fee of £430 if and when your claim for Attendance Allowance is awarded. This means you have nothing to lose by exploring your eligibility.

Take the Next Step Today:

Find out how much you could receive. We warmly invite you to:

Complete our free, simple online Eligibility Check: Visit /eligibility-check
Call our friendly team directly: 01702 938110. We're here to answer your questions and guide you through the process, ensuring you receive the support you deserve.

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