Attendance Allowance 2026: rates, eligibility and how to claim

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free, non-means-tested weekly benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of a physical or mental health condition. From April 2026, it pays £76.70 or £114.60 per week, depending on the level of care needed.

Around 1.7 million people in the UK currently claim Attendance Allowance. An estimated one million more are eligible but have never applied, often because they assume their income or savings disqualify them. They do not. Attendance Allowance is based entirely on care need, not financial circumstances.

Key insights

• Attendance Allowance pays £76.70 per week at the lower rate and £114.60 per week at the higher rate from April 2026, rising from the previous year’s rates of £73.90 and £110.40
• Eligibility is based on the help you need, not the help you currently receive. People living alone with no carer in place can still qualify
• Claiming Attendance Allowance can unlock additional benefits, including Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction, making it one of the most valuable benefits for older people to claim
• Attendance Allowance can be used towards the cost of live-in care at home, and combined with other funding routes such as NHS Continuing Healthcare or local authority support

What is attendance allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of a disability or long-term health condition. It is tax-free, not means-tested, and does not affect most other benefits. In fact, receiving it can increase entitlement to several others.

The benefit is paid to the person who needs care, not to the carer. It can be spent in any way that helps meet care needs. This includes paying for a live-in carer at home, household help, transport, or equipment.

Who is Attendance Allowance for?

Attendance Allowance is for people who:

• Have reached State Pension age (currently 66)
• Have a physical or mental health condition or disability that means they need help with personal care or supervision
• Have needed that help for at least six months (unless terminally ill)
• Live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland

People living in Scotland cannot claim Attendance Allowance. From April 2022, Scotland replaced it with Pension Age Disability Payment, administered by Social Security Scotland. The eligibility criteria are similar, but the application process differs. Families in Scotland should visit mygov.scot for details.

What conditions qualify?

There is no fixed list of qualifying conditions. Eligibility is based on the help or supervision a person needs, not the diagnosis itself. Conditions that commonly lead to a successful claim include:

• Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Stroke
• Heart disease or heart failure
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Arthritis and mobility conditions
• Visual or hearing impairment
• Depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions

A formal diagnosis is not required. What matters is whether the condition means the person needs help with personal care or supervision to stay safe.

For families supporting someone living with dementia at home, Attendance Allowance is one of the most accessible and valuable benefits to claim.

Does the person need to already have a carer?

No. This is one of the most widely misunderstood aspects of the benefit. Attendance Allowance is assessed based on what help a person needs, not what they currently receive. Someone living alone who struggles to wash, dress, or manage medication safely may qualify even if no one is currently helping them.

The DWP confirms these rates in the Benefit and Pension Rates 2026/27. They apply from 7th April 2026 until 6th April 2027. Rates are reviewed each April in line with September CPI inflation.

What is the difference between the lower rate and the higher rate?

The rate awarded depends on how often help or supervision is needed, not on the specific condition or diagnosis.

The lower rate applies where the person needs frequent help or supervision during the day, or some supervision during the night, but not both.

The higher rate applies where the person needs frequent help or supervision both during the day and during the night. The DWP also awards it automatically to people who are terminally ill and not expected to live for more than 12 months.

Has the rate changed since 2025?

Yes. The 2025/26 rates were £73.90 at the lower rate and £110.40 at the higher rate. Both increased by 3.8% from April 2026 in line with CPI inflation. Families who were already receiving Attendance Allowance should have had their payments updated automatically. If payments have not increased, contacting the DWP directly is the appropriate step.

How is Attendance Allowance paid?

Attendance Allowance is paid every four weeks directly into a bank, building society, or credit union account. Because payments are made every four weeks rather than once a calendar month, 13 payments are made over the course of a year. The first payment is usually backdated to the date the DWP received the completed claim form, which is one reason submitting the form promptly matters.

Who is eligible for Attendance Allowance?

To qualify for Attendance Allowance, a person must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be at or above State Pension age (currently 66)
• Have a physical or mental health condition or disability
• Have needed help with personal care or supervision for at least six months
• Be habitually resident in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland
• Not already receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

What counts as needing help with personal care?

The DWP assesses eligibility based on the help a person needs with bodily functions – tasks most people would carry out for themselves. These include:

• Washing, bathing, or showering
• Getting dressed and undressed
• Eating and drinking
• Getting to and using the toilet
• Taking medication
• Communicating needs to others
• Moving around indoors safely

Help with domestic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, or shopping does not count towards Attendance Allowance eligibility on its own. However, if a person needs supervision to stay safe, for example, someone living with dementia who cannot be left alone safely, this counts as a qualifying need even if they can manage basic personal care tasks.

What counts as needing supervision?

Supervision means someone needs another person present to avoid putting themselves or others at risk. This is particularly relevant for people living with dementia, epilepsy, or conditions that cause unpredictable episodes. Families supporting someone with Lewy body dementia or vascular dementia, for example, may find the supervision criterion applies even where personal care needs are still being managed independently.

The six-month qualifying period

A person must have needed help or supervision for at least six months before claiming, unless they are terminally ill. This does not mean they need to have been receiving help for six months – only that the need has existed for that period.

For people who are newly diagnosed with a progressive condition such as Parkinson’s or dementia, it is worth beginning the application process as soon as the qualifying period is met rather than waiting until needs become more severe.

Terminal illness

People who are not expected to live for more than 12 months qualify automatically for the higher rate of Attendance Allowance, with no qualifying period. A clinician completes a form SR1 to support the claim, and the DWP fast-tracks applications under these circumstances. The six-month waiting period does not apply.

For families navigating end-of-life care at home, palliative care support can be arranged alongside claiming Attendance Allowance to cover the cost of a live-in carer.

What if the person lives in a care home?

A person can claim Attendance Allowance if they are self-funding their care home placement. However, Attendance Allowance stops 28 days after moving into a care home where the local authority funds the care.

For people receiving live-in care at home, Attendance Allowance continues for as long as eligibility criteria are met, making it a particularly valuable funding source for home-based care arrangements.

How do you claim Attendance Allowance?

Claiming Attendance Allowance involves completing the AA1 form, which is available from the DWP. The form runs to around 32 pages, and how it is completed has a direct bearing on whether a claim succeeds and at what rate.

Step 1: Request the claim form

The quickest way to start a claim is to call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.

Ask for the AA1 form to be sent by post. Importantly, the date of the call becomes the official start date of the claim, meaning payments will be backdated to that date once a successful decision is made.

Alternatively, the AA1 form can be downloaded and printed from the Government website. If this route is taken, the claim start date is the date the DWP receives the completed form, not the date it was downloaded or posted. Calling the helpline first is the better option for most families.

Step 2: Complete the form

The form asks about personal details, health conditions, medications, and how the condition affects daily life. This last section is where most claims succeed or fail.

Key principles for completing the form effectively:

• Describe the worst days, not the best. The DWP wants to understand the full impact of the condition, not how the person manages when things are relatively stable
• Cover both daytime and nighttime needs separately, as the rate awarded depends on when help is needed
• Include help that is needed, even if no one is currently providing it
• Be specific rather than general. “I need help getting in and out of the bath safely due to balance problems” is more useful than “I need help with bathing”
• Ask a family member, carer, or GP to describe what support they provide or observe, as supporting evidence strengthens the claim

For families supporting someone living with dementia, completing the form on behalf of the person is common. Focus on supervision needs, the need for someone to be present to keep the person safe, as well as personal care tasks.

Step 3: Submit the form and supporting evidence

Return the completed form to the address provided. Supporting evidence, such as a letter from a GP, consultant, or specialist nurse, is not required, but it strengthens a claim, particularly where the condition fluctuates or an assessor cannot immediately see its impact.

Step 4: Await the decision

The DWP aims to decide within 40 working days. A decision letter will confirm the rate awarded, the start date, and the payment schedule. If the claim is refused or awarded at a lower rate than expected, families have the right to request a mandatory reconsideration and, if necessary, appeal.

Getting help with the claim

Several organisations offer free help with Attendance Allowance applications. Citizens Advice can help you complete the form. Age UK runs a benefits advice service. For families managing a dementia diagnosis, Dementia UK Admiral Nurses can advise on benefits entitlement as part of their wider support offer.

What are the most common mistakes on an Attendance Allowance claim?

More claims are refused or awarded at the wrong rate because of how the form is completed than because the person genuinely did not qualify.

Describing good days rather than bad days

The DWP assesses eligibility based on a typical difficult day, not how the person manages when things are going well. Describe what a hard day looks like, honestly. This can include tasks that take much longer than they used to, tasks completed with difficulty or discomfort, and tasks that carry a safety risk without help.

Leaving out night-time needs

The rate awarded depends on whether help is needed during the day, at night, or both. Many people focus on daytime needs and overlook nighttime supervision entirely. For people living with dementia who wake frequently or are at risk of leaving the house at night, include these needs specifically.

Assuming a diagnosis is required

A formal diagnosis is not needed. What matters is whether the person needs help or supervision because of their condition. Families awaiting a diagnosis should not delay claiming on this basis.

Not including supervision needs

Personal care tasks are the most obvious qualifying need, but supervision needs count equally. A person who cannot be left alone safely because of cognitive decline or unpredictable behaviour is likely to qualify, even if they can still manage basic personal care independently.

Not requesting a mandatory reconsideration after a refusal

A refused claim is not final. Families have one month from the decision letter to request a mandatory reconsideration. Many families win at this stage, particularly where the original form lacked sufficient detail.

Waiting too long to claim

Payments are backdated only to the date the claim starts. Delay directly reduces the amount received. Families who suspect a relative may qualify should start the process promptly.

Frequently asked questions

What is Attendance Allowance, and who can claim it?

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free, non-means-tested weekly benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of a physical or mental health condition. From April 2026, it pays £76.70 or £114.60 per week, depending on the level of need. Eligibility is based on the help a person needs, not their income, savings, or whether they currently have a carer in place.

How do I know if someone qualifies for Attendance Allowance?

The key question is whether the person needs help with personal care tasks (washing, dressing, eating, taking medication, or getting to the toilet) or supervision to stay safe, because of a disability or health condition. A formal diagnosis is not required. The condition must have created that need for at least six months, unless the person is terminally ill. People living with dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke, or heart disease commonly qualify.

What is the difference between the lower and higher rates?

The lower rate applies where help or supervision is needed during the day or at night, but not both. The higher rate applies where help or supervision is needed both during the day and at night, or where the person is terminally ill. The DWP determines the rate based on the information provided in the claim form.

Can Attendance Allowance be used to pay for a live-in carer?

Yes. Attendance Allowance can be spent in any way that helps meet care needs, including paying for live-in care at home. At the higher rate, it contributes approximately £5,959 per year towards care costs. Most families combine it with other funding routes, such as local authority support or NHS Continuing Healthcare, to cover the full cost of a care arrangement.

What happens to Attendance Allowance if the person moves into a care home?

Attendance Allowance continues if the person funds their own care home placement. It stops 28 days after moving into a home where the local authority funds the care. For people receiving live-in care at home, Attendance Allowance continues for as long as the eligibility criteria are met.

What should I do if a claim is refused?

Request a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the decision letter. Many initially refused claims succeed at this stage, particularly where the original form did not describe needs in sufficient detail.

If the reconsideration is unsuccessful, the decision can be appealed to an independent tribunal. Citizens Advice and Age UK both offer free help with reconsiderations and appeals.

Using Attendance Allowance to fund care at home

Attendance Allowance is one of the most accessible and underused benefits available to older people in the UK. It is non-means-tested, tax-free, and can be spent directly on care at home. For families arranging live-in care, claiming it promptly – and combining it with other available funding routes – can make a meaningful difference to what is affordable.

Hometouch’s care advisers can talk through the full funding picture as part of a free, no-obligation assessment conversation, including Attendance Allowance, NHS Continuing Healthcare, local authority funding, and paying for care in 2026.