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: Do You Qualify for £114.60/Week?

2026-03-08 by Elder Care

Are you or a loved one eligible for Attendance Allowance in the UK? Discover the key criteria and how Elder Care can help you claim up to £114.60 a week.

Understanding Attendance Allowance Eligibility

Attendance Allowance is a crucial benefit designed to help people aged 66 and over who need supervision or help with personal care due to a disability or illness. It's not means-tested, meaning your savings and income don't affect your eligibility. Crucially, it's also not taxed. The benefit is paid directly to you, and you can use it however you choose – perhaps for extra heating, taxi fares, or a carer to help around the house.

Many people are surprised to learn they qualify, as the help they receive from family or friends, or simply their *need* for help, might not feel like 'care'. However, if you require assistance with things like washing, dressing, eating, or managing medication, or if you need someone to be with you for safety, you could be eligible.

The Key Qualification: Needing Help for Six Months

The primary rule for Attendance Allowance is that your care needs must have existed for at least six months. This 'six-month rule' is a common hurdle if your condition is new or temporary. For instance, if you've recently had an operation and your needs are expected to improve significantly within six months, you won't immediately qualify. However, if your prognosis is that the care needs will continue beyond that period, or if you are terminally ill, this rule doesn't apply.

What Kind of Help Qualifies You?

Attendance Allowance isn't about whether you *currently receive* care, but whether you *need* it. This is a critical distinction. You don't need to have a professional carer; help from a spouse, family member, or friend counts, and even the need for someone to be present for safety reasons is considered.

Here are some common scenarios that often lead to a successful claim:

Physical Difficulties:
Washing and Dressing: Do you struggle to wash your back, reach your feet, or fasten buttons due to arthritis, limited mobility, or a stroke? Do you need help getting in or out of the bath or shower?
Eating and Drinking: Do you need help cutting up food, or ensuring you eat enough due to frailty or cognitive decline?
Mobility: While Attendance Allowance isn't for mobility itself, the need for supervision to prevent falls, or assistance transferring from a bed to a chair, is highly relevant.
Medication Management: Do you need prompting or assistance to take your medication correctly, especially if you have a complex regimen or memory issues?

Cognitive and Mental Health Challenges:
Dementia/Memory Loss: Do you forget to eat, leave the gas on, or wander? The need for supervision, day or night, due to confusion, disorientation, or an inability to manage personal affairs, is a strong indicator.
Anxiety/Depression: Do you avoid personal care or daily tasks due to severe anxiety or depression, requiring prompting and encouragement?
Learning Disabilities: Do you need help understanding instructions or managing tasks due to a lifelong learning disability?

Supervision Needs (Day and Night):
Falls Risk: Do you need someone to be present when you're mobile due to a high risk of falls?
Incontinence: Do you need help managing continence issues, such as changing pads or bedding, or being prompted to use the toilet?
Overnight Needs: Do you regularly wake up disoriented, need help using the toilet, or require supervision due to conditions like Parkinson's affecting sleep or mobility in the dark? The need for someone to be awake for a significant part of the night, even if they aren't actively providing care constantly, can qualify you for the higher rate.

The Two Rates of Attendance Allowance

There are two rates of Attendance Allowance, depending on the level of care you need:

Lower Rate (£76.70 a week / £3,988.40 a year): This is for people who need frequent care or supervision during the day *or* at night.
Higher Rate (£114.60 a week / £5,959.20 a year): This is for people who need frequent care or supervision both day *and* night, or are terminally ill.

These amounts are paid every four weeks: £306.80 for the lower rate and £458.40 for the higher rate.

Common Pitfalls When Claiming

The Attendance Allowance application form (AA1) is notoriously long and detailed – over 40 pages! It's not a simple 'tick-box' exercise, and many valid claims are rejected or awarded at the lower rate because the application doesn't provide enough specific, evidence-based detail.

Here are some common reasons why claims fail:

Understating Needs: Many older people are resilient and downplay the struggles they face. They might say, "I manage," when in reality, they struggle significantly or receive constant help without realising it's 'care'. The form needs a detailed, honest picture of your *worst* days and the *maximum* help you need.
Lack of Specificity: General statements like "I need help with personal care" are insufficient. The DWP wants to know *exactly* what kind of help, *how often*, *how long it takes*, and *what happens if you don't get the help*. For example, instead of "Difficulty dressing," you should include "I cannot lift my arms over my head to put on a top due to severe shoulder arthritis, my wife has to help me with this every morning and evening. This takes an extra 20 minutes and is often painful."
Focusing on Mobility Only: Attendance Allowance is for care, not purely mobility. While mobility issues can lead to care needs (e.g., needing supervision to prevent falls), simply struggling to walk long distances is not directly qualifying criteria in itself.
No Mention of Night-Time Needs (for Higher Rate): To get the higher rate, you *must* demonstrate significant night-time care or supervision needs. If this section is left blank or vague, you'll likely only be awarded the lower rate, even if you qualify for more.
Difficulty Articulating Unseen Needs: Conditions like dementia or mental health issues often involve 'supervision' rather than active 'doing'. It's harder to evidence the constant vigilance required, the prompting, or the reassurance needed. The DWP needs this clearly explained.

Why Professional Help Matters

Many people are tempted to fill in the AA1 form themselves, or try the new online application. While the online form is quicker, it asks much less detail and often doesn't allow for the comprehensive evidence needed for a successful higher-rate award. The paper form, whilst exhaustive, provides the necessary space to paint a full picture of your care needs.

The DWP assess claims based *only* on the evidence provided. If the form doesn't clearly articulate daily struggles and the consequent need for care or supervision, the claim can easily be rejected or under-awarded.

This is where Elder Care comes in. We understand the specific language and detail the DWP looks for. Our service is designed to take the stress out of the application process for you and your family. We work with you to meticulously gather all the necessary information, ensuring every aspect of your care needs is accurately and compellingly presented on the form.

We operate on a No-Win, No-Fee basis. You only pay our success fee of £430 if your claim for Attendance Allowance is awarded. There's no upfront cost or risk to you.

Ready to See if You Qualify?

Don't miss out on the financial support you or your loved one deserves. Attendance Allowance can make a significant difference to independence and quality of life.

Take the first step today:

a. Complete our free, quick online Eligibility Check at /eligibility-check

b. Or, call our friendly team on 01702 938110 to discuss your situation. We're here to help.

Check Your Eligibility Free