The benefit is worth either £73.90 or £110.40 each week, depending on the level of support needed
The benefit is worth either £73.90 or £110.40 each week, depending on the level of support needed
Linda Howard Money and Consumer Writer and Rory Poulter
04:18, 20 Jan 2026
Attendance Allowance, a benefit provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is designed to assist individuals over State Pension age who require help with personal care or supervision due to an illness, disability or mental health condition. Depending on the level of support needed, successful claimants can receive either £73.90 or £110.40 per week.
These payments, made every four weeks, total £295.60 or £441.60 respectively. This additional income can be used as the recipient sees fit to meet their needs and maintain independence in their own home – there is no requirement to spend it on a carer.
This tax-free benefit, specifically tailored for older people, will not affect any other state support you are receiving. To aid new claimants through the application process, the charity Independent Age has produced a helpful factsheet and seven top tips for completing the form.
According to recent DWP figures from February 2025, over 1.7 million people across Great Britain, reports the Daily Record. It is essential to remember that Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so, unlike Pension Credit, income from any retirement earnings or savings will not be taken into account.
Tips for completing Attendance Allowance application form
Independent Age says: “The decision maker will use your claim form to work out whether you qualify for Attendance Allowance, so it’s important to give as much detail as possible.”
They recommend that anyone completing the form should:
- Explain how your condition affects your day-to-day life and what personal tasks you have difficulties with
- Answer all the questions if you can and give examples
- Include the time it takes you to carry out specific tasks and how much help you need with them, even if there’s no one to help you
- Explain how your needs change and how bad your difficulties can be if some days are better than others
- Mention any things you avoid doing because they’re difficult for you – for example, if it’s difficult bending and reaching to put on and take off socks, even while you’re sitting down
- Explain what happens when you don’t receive the care you need, especially if this has left you at risk of falls or struggling to manage
- Send supporting information if you’re able to – for example, from your carer, GP or consultant.
More help and support is available on the Independent Age website here or by calling them on 0800 319 6789.
Below is a quick guide to the benefit to help you determine if you – or a relative – should submit a claim.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance assists with additional costs if you have a disability, physical or mental health condition, or illness serious enough that it makes it difficult for you to care for yourself – it doesn’t cover mobility needs.
You don’t need to have someone looking after you to make a claim.
Who can claim?
You should apply for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and require help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night – even if you don’t currently receive that help.
This could include:
- Help with your personal care – for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and using the toilet.
- Help to remain safe
You should also consider applying if you struggle with personal tasks, such as if they take a long time, cause discomfort or require physical support, like needing a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn’t solely for those with a physical disability or illness.
It’s also worth claiming if you need assistance or supervision throughout the day or night and have:
- a mental health condition.
- learning difficulties.
- a sensory condition – such as being deaf or visually impaired.
The main disabling conditions for Attendance Allowance
These medical conditions are taken from data recorded on the DWP’s Attendance Allowance computer system. The DWP notes that when more than one condition is present, the primary disabling condition is reported.
It’s crucial to remember this list isn’t a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance, but rather it’s meant to help people understand what types of conditions are supported. However, if you require additional support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance on the GOV.UK website here.
- Arthritis
- Spondylosis
- Back Pain
- Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
- Trauma to Limbs
- Visual Disorders and Diseases
- Hearing Disorders
- Heart Disease
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases
- Asthma
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Peripheral vascular Disease
- Epilepsy
- Neurological Diseases
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Metabolic Disease
- Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Learning Difficulties
- Psychosis
- Psychoneurosis
- Personality Disorder
- Dementia
- Behavioural Disorder
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Hyperkinetic Syndrome
- Renal Disorders
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Bowel and Stomach Disease
- Blood Disorders
- Haemophilia
- Multi System Disorders
- Multiple Allergy Syndrome
- Skin Disease
- Malignant Disease
- Severely Mentally impaired
- Double Amputee
- Deaf/Blind
- Haemodialysis
- Frailty
- Total Parenteral Nutrition
- AIDS
- Infectious diseases: Viral disease – Coronavirus covid-19
How much could I receive on Attendance Allowance?
You could pocket £73.90 if you need help during the day or at night, or £110.40 if you need help both during the day and at night, or if you’re terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks, meaning you could receive either £295.60 or £441.60 each pay period.
The funds can be used as you see fit, potentially aiding in maintaining your independence at home for a longer period.
This could involve:
- Utilising taxis.
- Contributing towards bills.
- Employing a cleaner or gardener.
Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income?
Absolutely. As Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested, your other income sources or the amount of savings you possess won’t affect your eligibility – there’s no upper limit.
Plus, it’s tax-free and exempt from the Benefit Cap, so it won’t impact any other benefits you’re receiving.
Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension?
No, it won’t interfere with your State Pension and you can still claim it even if you’re employed and earning.
How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
If you’re awarded Attendance Allowance, your other benefits might increase.
These could include:
- Additional Pension Credit.
- Housing Benefit Reduction.
- Council Tax Reduction.
How do I make a claim?
You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. It might seem daunting at first but help is available from your nearest Citizens Advice, so don’t let the form put you off applying.
If you’d prefer to do it yourself you can follow the Citizens Advice guide on how to fill in your claim form here. Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age?
If you’re considering applying for Attendance Allowance when you hit State Pension age, it might be worth your while to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) right off the bat – you could pocket more cash.
So, who’s not eligible for Attendance Allowance?
If you’re already receiving PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to cover your care costs. If you try to claim Attendance Allowance while on DLA, the DWP will typically reassess your DLA award instead.
When your current PIP or DLA award expires, you can renew it as long as you still tick all the eligibility boxes. If your renewal doesn’t go through, you can then apply for Attendance Allowance. For more info on Attendance Allowance, head over to the GOV.UK website here.
