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.

What is Attendance Allowance UK? Your Essential Guide

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.

2025-11-04 by Elder Care Consultancy

Learn what Attendance Allowance is, how it helps with care needs, and why Elder Care's managed service is the safest way to claim your rightful benefit. Call 01702 938110.

What Exactly is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) designed to help people who have reached State Pension age (currently 66 and over) with extra costs they might face due to a physical or mental illness or disability. It's for those who need frequent help with personal care, supervision for safety, or both, either day or night.

Crucially, you don't need to be receiving care or have someone looking after you to qualify. The allowance is based on your *need* for care or supervision, not whether you actually get it. This means if you struggle with tasks like washing, dressing, eating, or managing medication, or if you need someone nearby to keep you safe, you could be eligible.

It’s Not About What You Earn or Save

One of the most important things to understand about Attendance Allowance is that it is not means-tested. This means your income, savings, or investments do not affect your eligibility or the amount you receive. It's purely about your care needs.

Who Can Get Attendance Allowance?

To be eligible for Attendance Allowance, you must:

Have reached State Pension age (currently 66 or over).
Need help with personal care, or supervision for safety, for at least six months (or if you are terminally ill, this rule doesn't apply).
Be habitually resident in the UK (with some exceptions).

Practical Examples of Needing Care

The DWP assesses your need for care across various areas. Here are some common examples:

Washing and Dressing: Difficulty bathing, showering, or getting dressed due to arthritis, limited mobility, or memory issues.
Eating and Drinking: Needing assistance with preparing food, cutting it up, or being prompted to eat and drink.
Toileting and Continence: Needing help with managing incontinence, using the toilet, or changing bed linen.
Mobility: Requiring help to move safely around the home, transfer from bed to chair, or needing supervision due to a risk of falls (e.g., Parkinson's, frailty).
Medication Management: Needing reminders, supervision, or physical help to take medicines correctly, especially for complex regimes.
Supervision for Safety: This is vital for conditions like dementia, where an individual might wander, forget to turn off appliances, or put themselves at risk. It also applies to those prone to falls who need someone nearby to intervene or help if they fall.
Communication: Needing help to understand or express themselves due to conditions like stroke or advanced decline.

Even if you manage some tasks, the *difficulty* and *time* it takes can be considered a care need. For instance, if getting dressed takes an hour and leaves you exhausted, that's a significant burden.

How Much Can Attendance Allowance Pay?

Attendance Allowance is paid at two rates, depending on the extent of your care needs:

Lower Rate: £76.70 a week
This is for those who need frequent help or supervision during the day *or* at night. Annualised, this is £3,988.40.
Higher Rate: £114.60 a week
This is for those who need frequent help or supervision both day *and* night, or are terminally ill. Annualised, this is £5,959.20.

Payments are typically made every four weeks, so you could receive £306.80 (lower rate) or £458.40 (higher rate) directly into your bank account.

Potential Extra Benefits

Receiving Attendance Allowance can sometimes lead to an increase in other benefits you might already be getting, such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Reduction. It's always worth checking with the relevant authorities once your Attendance Allowance is awarded.

The Application Process: Why It's More Complex Than It Seems

The DWP's Attendance Allowance form (AA1) is notorious for its length and complexity. It’s over 40 pages long and requires comprehensive detail about your daily life, your medical conditions, and precisely how they impact your ability to care for yourself or lead to safety concerns. Many people find it overwhelming, and it can be particularly stressful for older individuals and their families.

Common Pitfalls of Applying Yourself

Lack of Detail: The form requires more than just listing conditions; it needs specific examples of how those conditions create a *need for care*. Vague answers often lead to rejection or a lower award.
Understating Needs: Many older people have a lifetime of stoicism and minimise their difficulties. The form demands an honest, often uncomfortable, account of struggles.
Inconsistent Information: Providing conflicting details across different sections can raise red flags with the DWP.
Focusing on Illness, Not Care Needs: It's not enough to be severely unwell; you must clearly link your illness to specific care needs or supervision requirements.
Missing Evidence: While medical evidence isn't always mandatory, well-presented supporting documents can significantly strengthen a claim.

The Online Application Option: A Word of Caution

The DWP now offers an online application for Attendance Allowance. While this might seem convenient, it provides significantly less space and fewer prompts to detail the specific, nuanced care needs required for a successful claim. The paper form, despite its difficulty, allows for extensive evidence and explanation. Our experience shows that online applications often result in lower-rate awards or rejections because they simply don't capture the true extent of the applicant's difficulties.

How Elder Care Can Help

At Elder Care, we specialise in helping individuals over 66 and their families navigate the challenging Attendance Allowance application process. We understand the intricacies of the AA1 form and what the DWP looks for.

Our service is designed to remove the stress and maximise your chances of a successful claim at the higher rate. We will:

Conduct a thorough consultation to understand all your care needs.
Help you gather the right information and evidence.
Complete the entire 40+ page form on your behalf, ensuring every detail is accurately and persuasively presented.
Handle all communication with the DWP.

We operate on a No-Win, No-Fee basis. You only pay our success fee of £430 if your claim is awarded. We are committed to securing the financial support you are entitled to without any upfront cost or risk to you.

Take the Next Step

Understanding Attendance Allowance is the first step towards getting the financial support you deserve. Don't let the complexity of the DWP form deter you from claiming. Our team is here to help.

Begin by checking your eligibility with our free online tool, or speak directly to one of our friendly advisors.

Ready to get started?

Visit our free online Eligibility Check: /eligibility-check
Call our expert team today: 01702 938110

Let Elder Care help you secure your Attendance Allowance with confidence and ease.

Check Your Eligibility Free