If you have reached State Pension age and have a disability that means you need someone to look after you, you can help with the extra costs involved by claiming Attendance Allowance.
Although you are free to use the money as you wish, the money you get from the benefit can help towards funding your home care.
You cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you already receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
This page explains what Attendance Allowance is, what the weekly rates are, the eligibility criteria and how to make a claim.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a benefit paid at two different rates by the government, depending on the level of care you need due to your disability.
It is for people who have reached State Pension age and have a physical and/or mental disability (including learning, sight, hearing or speech difficulties) and as a result need help caring for themselves or have someone supervise them for their own or others’ safety.
Unless you are terminally ill, you must have needed help for at least six months.
It is one of several benefits you may be entitled to if you receive home care. Attendance Allowance is non-means tested, tax-free and if you are eligible for it, other benefits you are entitled to may increase.
Whether you can claim Attendance Allowance or not is based on the help you need, rather than your income or savings.
You are not required to have someone caring for you to claim Attendance Allowance and how you use the extra money is up to you. However, if you receive it, it means that you need some level of care from another person and you may choose to use the extra income to fund home care services.
If you already have someone caring for you, they may qualify for Carer’s Allowance.
Attendance Allowance rates 2022/23
Attendance Allowance is paid weekly into your bank account at a lower and higher rate depending on your needs.
- Lower rate: £61.85
- Higher rate: £92.40
People who need personal support or supervision during the day, or supervision at night, qualify for the lower rate of Attendance Allowance.
Those who need further assistance and require help or supervision during both day and night get the higher rate. People who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness are also eligible for the higher rate.
Attendance Allowance eligibility
To claim Attendance Allowance, the following eligibility criteria apply:
- You must have reached State Pension age
- You must have a physical and/or mental disability (including learning difficulties) that is severe enough that you need help and/or supervision.
- You must have needed that help for at least six months (unless you are terminally ill)
- Be in Great Britain and meet other residence and presence conditions
If you are terminally ill and you are not expected to live for more than six months, you can claim straight away and will automatically receive the higher rate of £89.60 and there is no qualifying period, meaning it does not matter how long you have had your illness for.
If it is unclear how your condition affects you, you may need to attend an assessment where a health professional examines you and your needs. If this is the case, you will be sent a letter to notify you.
Your eligibility is not determined by a specific condition or diagnosis but rather how your disability affects you. For example, you may have a physical disability which means you are unable to wash and dress yourself or use the toilet without assistance, meaning you need help with personal care.
If a person needs help to remember to take their medicine or have someone to look after them because they may otherwise hurt themselves or others, they may need supervision to ensure their safety.
Making a claim
If you live in England, Wales or Scotland you need to complete the Attendance Allowance claim form, available on the UK government’s website.
Attendance Allowance Claim form
If you live in Northern Ireland, click here.
Although you must have needed help for at least six months, you can still apply for Attendance Allowance before that date but you will not receive payments until six months have passed.
People who are terminally ill can claim straight away.
The form asks for information about your illness, how long you have had it for, what medicines or treatment you have been prescribed, and more.
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