Attendance Allowance: Who can claim and how much you could get explained

If you have a disability or long-term health condition and need help looking after yourself, you could be entitled to Attendance Allowance.

The benefit helps those who have extra costs due to living with a disability or health condition and is available to people who have reached State Pension age.

You could receive £76.70 or £114.60 a week, depending on the level of care you need.

Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested, so your income and savings don't affect whether you can receive it.

Here's everything you need to know about the benefit, including who qualifies, the current rates and how to claim.

How much is Attendance Allowance?

There are two Attendance Allowance rates for 2026/27.

The lower rate is £76.70 a week worth £3,988.40 a year.

Or the higher rate is £114.60 a week, which works out as £5,959.20 a year.

The lower rate is available if you need frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night.

The higher rate is for when you need help or supervision throughout both day and night, or if a medical professional has said you are nearing the end of your life.

Who is eligible to claim Attendance Allowance?

You can claim if you have reached State Pension age and have a physical or mental disability or a condition that means you need help caring for yourself.

To qualify, you'll have to have needed the help for at least six months.

You can qualify if you live alone but need help with personal care or require supervision to stay safe, example.

What kind of help can qualify for Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance isn't based simply on having a particular medical condition.

What matters is how your condition affects you and the help or supervision you need.

This could include anything from washing to managing a health condition.

You may qualify if you need someone to supervise you because there is a risk to your safety as a result of your condition.

But you don't have to be receiving care from another person already to make a claim.

Does Attendance Allowance depend on your income or savings?

No, attendance Allowance isn't means-tested which means income, pension, and other savings or investments don't affect your claim.

This makes it different from benefits such as Pension Credit, where your income and circumstances are taken into account.

You can therefore qualify for Attendance Allowance even if you have savings or a private pension.

Can you get Attendance Allowance for any health condition?

There isn't a simple list of qualifying illnesses and having a particular diagnosis does not automatically mean you'll be able to claim Attendance Allowance.

Instead, the Department for Work and Pensions looks at the care and supervision you need because of your condition.

For example, someone with arthritis may need help getting washed and dressed, while someone with dementia may need supervision to stay safe.

You don't need to have a carer to qualify and living alone shouldn't stop you from claiming.

If you have care or supervision needs, simply explain how you manage when there isn't another person around to help.

Can you get Attendance Allowance and PIP?

You won't be able to make a new Attendance Allowance claim if you are already receiving PIP because Attendance Allowance is generally for people who have reached State Pension age whereas PIP is for those who are under State Pension age.

You can't normally receive Attendance Allowance alongside Disability Living Allowance, Adult Disability Payment, Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance or Armed Forces Independence Payment.

If you're already receiving one of these benefits and your circumstances have changed, check with the relevant benefits office before making a new claim.