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? Fact Check for UK Seniors

2026-03-08 by Elder Care

Wondering if Attendance Allowance is means-tested in the UK? Discover how this tax-free benefit works for seniors. Elder Care helps you claim.

It's a very common and understandable question: "Is Attendance Allowance means-tested?" Many benefits have strict rules about how much income or savings you can have. But when it comes to Attendance Allowance, we have excellent news: no, Attendance Allowance is absolutely not means-tested.

This means that your savings, investments, pensions, or any other income you receive, whether from employment or other benefits, will not affect your eligibility for Attendance Allowance. This benefit is designed purely to help with the extra costs of personal care because of a disability or health condition, focusing on your care needs, not your financial situation.

What Does 'Not Means-Tested' Truly Mean for You?

For many older people and their families, the fact that Attendance Allowance is not means-tested is a huge relief. It means you don't have to declare your financial assets or worry about your life savings preventing you from getting the support you need.

Think about it this way:

Your pension? It won't stop you.
Your savings pot? Completely irrelevant.
Your property ownership? Has no bearing.
Other benefits you receive? Generally, these won't impact your Attendance Allowance eligibility (though Attendance Allowance can sometimes trigger an increase in other benefits).

The sole focus of Attendance Allowance is your need for help with personal care or supervision due to a physical or mental disability. It doesn't matter if you have a substantial nest egg or live solely on your state pension; if your care needs meet the DWP's criteria, you could be eligible.

So, What Does Matter for Attendance Allowance Eligibility?

If not your finances, then what determines whether you qualify for Attendance Allowance? The DWP looks at two main things:

Your Age: You must have reached State Pension age (currently 66).
Your Care Needs: This is the most crucial part. You must need help with your personal care, or supervision because of a disability or health condition, for at least six months (unless you are terminally ill).

Let's break down 'care needs' further, as this is where the complexity truly lies. The DWP assesses your need for help, not necessarily the help you *currently receive*. This distinction is vital.

Examples of Care Needs That Qualify:

Help with personal hygiene: Things like bathing, showering, washing your hair, or getting dressed due to severe arthritis making movements painful, or Parkinson's affecting coordination.
Assistance with toilet needs: For example, due to incontinence, requiring help to use the toilet, change clothes, or manage continence products.
Supervision for safety: If you have dementia, for instance, and need someone to watch over you day or night to prevent accidents like falling, wandering, or leaving appliances on. Similarly, if you experience frequent dizzy spells or frailty that makes you prone to falls.
Help with basic daily living tasks: This could include needing assistance to take medication correctly and on time, prepare simple meals, or communicate.
Overnight care: If your condition means you need help or supervision during the night. For example, needing assistance to get to the toilet, manage pain, or if you frequently wake up disoriented due to dementia.

It's not just about physical conditions. Mental health conditions, learning difficulties, and cognitive impairments like those seen in dementia, can also create significant care needs.

The Complexity of Proving Your Care Needs

While the "not means-tested" aspect is straightforward, successfully completing the Attendance Allowance application (the AA1 form) is anything but simple. This 40+ page paper application requires a detailed, consistent, and specific account of your care needs. It asks very particular questions about *when*, *how often*, and *what kind* of help you need, often multiple times throughout the day and night.

Common Pitfalls When Applying Yourself:

Understating needs: Many people, being naturally resilient, tend to downplay the difficulties they face. The form requires you to describe your worst days, not your best.
Lack of detail: Simply stating "I have arthritis" isn't enough. You need to explain *how* arthritis affects your ability to dress, bathe, or move safely, and what help you *need* as a result.
Inconsistent information: The DWP looks for consistency across the entire form. Contradictory statements, even if unintentional, can lead to rejection.
Missing key evidence: Strong applications are supported by clear descriptions from carers, family members, and medical professionals. Just saying you need help isn't enough, you need to evidence it.
Focusing on house chores: Attendance Allowance is for personal care, not general housework. While some overlap might exist, the emphasis must remain on personal care.
The emotional toll: Filling out such a comprehensive form about your struggles can be emotionally draining and stressful, particularly for older applicants or those with cognitive challenges.

Online applications for Attendance Allowance, while available, often ask for even less detail than the paper form. This can make it even harder to properly evidence the full extent of your care needs, often leading to lower awards or rejections because the DWP simply doesn't have enough information to make an informed decision.

Elder Care: Your Expert Guide Through the AA1 Form

This is precisely where Elder Care steps in. Our service specialises exclusively in helping people aged 66 and over successfully apply for Attendance Allowance. We understand the specific language the DWP looks for, how to phrase your care needs effectively, and how to gather the necessary evidence.

We manage the entire application process for you, taking the stress and complexity out of a form that is notoriously difficult to complete correctly without expert help. Our goal is to ensure your application reflects your true care needs and maximises your chances of receiving the correct award.

What Could Attendance Allowance Mean for You?

If successful, Attendance Allowance provides a tax-free, non-means-tested weekly benefit paid every four weeks. In 2026, the rates are:

Lower Rate: £76.70 per week (around £306.80 every four weeks, or £3,988.40 per year) for those who need help either during the day or night.
Higher Rate: £114.60 per week (around £458.40 every four weeks, or £5,959.20 per year) for those who need help both day and night, or are terminally ill.

This money can be spent however you wish – on professional home care, adaptations to your home, a contribution towards family carers' expenses, or simply to make life a little easier for yourself.

Take the Next Step with Elder Care

Don't let the complexity of the DWP forms deter you from claiming what you're entitled to. The good news is that your savings and income will not be held against you; your care needs are what truly count.

Elder Care offers a No-Win-No-Fee service. You only pay our success fee of £430 if your Attendance Allowance claim is successfully awarded.

Ready to find out if you could be eligible and have Elder Care handle your application?

Complete our free, quick online Eligibility Check now at https://www.elder.org.uk/eligibility-check
Or, call our friendly team on 01702 938110 for a chat about your circumstances.

Check Your Eligibility Free