Attendance Allowance

Do you have an illness or disability that means you need extra help at home? If so, you might be able to get a benefit called Attendance Allowance.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of an illness or disability. There are 2 different weekly rates and the amount you get depends on how much help you need.

Any Attendance Allowance you receive doesn't necessarily need to be spent on your care. Many people spend the money on other types of help in the home, or on equipment to help them stay independent. For example, it could help you pay bills, get meals delivered or cover the cost of taxis.

You don’t need to have a carer or someone looking after you. You qualify based on the help you need, not the help you currently get.

If you’re under State Pension age then you may be able to claim a different benefit called Personal Independence Payment.

If you’re already claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you can continue to get these after you reach State Pension age. If you’ve been asked to claim AA instead of your current benefit, contact Age Cymru Advice.

How much could I get?

You could get:

• If you need help either in the day or at night – £73.90 a week.
• If you need help both in the day and at night – £110.40 a week.

These rates apply from April 2025 to March 2026.

The benefit is usually paid every 4 weeks.

How could Attendance Allowance help me?

A little extra money can go a long way. You can use it in any way you like to meet your needs and stay independent in your own home. The money doesn’t have to be spent on a carer.

There are some other upsides to Attendance Allowance too:

• Claiming Attendance Allowance won’t reduce any other income you receive.
• It’s tax-free.
• If you’re awarded Attendance Allowance, you may become entitled to other benefits, such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, or an increase in these benefits if you’re already receiving them.
• Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested so it doesn’t matter how much income and savings you have.

Am I eligible to claim Attendance Allowance?

You can claim Attendance Allowance if you meet all the following criteria:

• you are over State Pension age
• you have any type of disability or physical or mental illness, including sight or hearing impairments and conditions such as dementia.
• you could benefit from help with personal care, such as getting washed or dressed, or supervision to keep you safe during the day or night.
• you've needed help for at least 6 months (though this doesn't apply if you're terminally ill, in which case you can make a claim straight away).

6 myths about claiming Attendance Allowance

How do I claim Attendance Allowance?

To make a claim, you have to fill out the Attendance Allowance claim form. There are a couple of ways to get your form. You can:

• call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 
• download a claim form from GOV.UK.

When filling out the form, be really clear about how your illness or disability affects your life and attach any supporting information, such as GP letters, your care plans, or prescription lists. 

The Attendance Allowance form can be daunting, but we've brought together tips on how best to fill it out and what to include: 

Find out more about what to include in your Attendance Allowance form

You can also get in touch with your local Age Cymru for help from an adviser.

Once you've submitted your form, the Department of Work and Pensions may contact you for more information or arrange a visit from a doctor. It's a good idea to prepare for this visit by writing down things you think the doctor should know about. 

You'll get a letter about whether or not you’ll get Attendance Allowance, how much, and from what date. If you’re not happy with the decision, you can appeal.

If you claim by post, it’s usually best to phone up to ask for a claim form. This is because the date you call will be recorded on your form. If your application is successful, your first payment will be from that date.

If you download the form, your first payment will be based on when your form was received by the Attendance Allowance Unit. This could be a difference of a few weeks’ worth of money. 

Further information