Questions answered
Attendance Allowance: 37 questions answered
Attendance Allowance in 2026/27: rates, who qualifies, how to claim, the special rules, and how it affects other benefits and care costs.
Reviewed by The Care Panel editorial team on 22 October 2026. How we check our information.
What it means
Is there a points system or calculator for Attendance Allowance?
No, Attendance Allowance does not use a points system, unlike PIP. A decision maker reads the claim form and any evidence and decides whether you need frequent help with bodily functions or continual supervision, by day, by night or both. An online checker can show whether you are likely to qualify and which rate fits, but it cannot guarantee the DWP's decision.
What are the special rules for Attendance Allowance?
The special rules are a fast-track route for people who may have 12 months or less to live. Under them, you get the higher rate of £114.60 a week straight away, with no six-month qualifying period, and you do not need to answer the detailed care questions on the form. A doctor or specialist nurse should complete an SR1 form, and claims are usually processed quickly. Someone else can claim on your behalf without your knowledge.
Is Attendance Allowance taxable or does it reduce my State Pension?
Attendance Allowance is tax-free and does not reduce your State Pension or private pensions. It is paid on top of them. It also does not count towards the Personal Allowance for income tax. Because it is not means-tested, a higher pension or savings will not affect it either. It may, however, count as income if the council charges you for care.
Source: GOV.UK
Is Attendance Allowance still available in Scotland?
No new Attendance Allowance claims are taken in Scotland. It has been replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment, run by Social Security Scotland, and existing awards have been transferred. Attendance Allowance continues in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If someone moves from Scotland to England, they need to tell Social Security Scotland and claim Attendance Allowance from the DWP.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: Attendance Allowance Eligibility: 2026/27 Rates, Savings, Dementia and Pension Credit
Rates and amounts
How much is Attendance Allowance in 2026?
Attendance Allowance is £76.70 a week at the lower rate and £114.60 a week at the higher rate for the 2026/27 tax year. Which rate you get depends on whether you need help or supervision during the day or night only (lower), or both day and night (higher). People claiming under the special rules for end of life always get the higher rate. Rates normally rise each April.
What is the lower rate of Attendance Allowance for 2026/27?
The lower rate of Attendance Allowance is £76.70 a week in 2026/27. It is paid to people over State Pension age who need frequent help with personal care, or continual supervision to stay safe, either during the day or during the night, but not both. If needs later extend to both day and night, you can ask the DWP to move you to the higher rate.
Source: GOV.UK
What is the higher rate of Attendance Allowance in 2026?
The higher rate of Attendance Allowance is £114.60 a week in 2026/27. It is paid when someone needs help or supervision both during the day and at night, or when they are claiming under the special rules because they may have 12 months or less to live. The higher rate is £37.90 a week more than the lower rate.
Source: GOV.UK
How much is Attendance Allowance per week and how often is it paid?
Attendance Allowance is £76.70 or £114.60 per week in 2026/27, but it is normally paid every four weeks directly into a bank, building society or credit union account. That means a four-weekly payment of £306.80 at the lower rate or £458.40 at the higher rate. People claiming under the special rules can be paid weekly instead.
Source: GOV.UK
Who qualifies
Is Attendance Allowance means-tested?
No, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested. Your savings, pensions, property and other income make no difference to whether you get it or how much you get. It is also not based on National Insurance contributions, and it is tax-free. Entitlement depends only on your age, residence and how much help or supervision you need because of illness or disability.
Who is eligible for Attendance Allowance?
You can get Attendance Allowance if you have reached State Pension age, have a physical or mental illness or disability, and need help with personal care or supervision to stay safe. Normally you must have needed that help for at least six months. You must also usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and have lived in Great Britain for at least two of the last three years.
What conditions automatically qualify you for Attendance Allowance?
No medical condition automatically qualifies you for Attendance Allowance. The DWP looks at how your illness or disability affects you, such as needing help washing, dressing, using the toilet, taking medicines or being supervised, rather than the diagnosis itself. The nearest thing to automatic entitlement is the special rules route, where someone expected to have 12 months or less to live gets the higher rate without a waiting period.
How can I check if I'm eligible for Attendance Allowance before applying?
You can check eligibility by answering three questions: have you reached State Pension age, do you need help with personal care or supervision because of illness or disability, and have you needed it for six months? If yes to all three, you are likely to qualify. A free eligibility checker or a benefits adviser at Age UK or Citizens Advice can also help you judge which rate to expect.
Can you get Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance at the same time?
Yes, you can get both together. Attendance Allowance is ignored as income for Pension Credit and can add the severe disability addition of £86.05 a week, usually if you live alone (or only with certain people) and nobody gets Carer's Allowance or Universal Credit's carer element for looking after you. This can lift someone above the Pension Credit threshold who did not qualify before.
Source: GOV.UK
More detail: Does Pension Credit affect Attendance Allowance?
Can you get Attendance Allowance in a care home?
Yes, if you pay the full care home fees yourself, Attendance Allowance continues. If the council helps fund the placement, it stops after 28 days. Residents of homes funded by NHS continuing healthcare also lose it after 28 days. You can claim from a care home if you are a self-funder, and the DWP will ask about your fees when you apply.
Do I need to have a carer to claim Attendance Allowance?
No. Attendance Allowance is based on the help or supervision you need, not whether anyone actually provides it. Many people who live alone and struggle without help still qualify. On the form, describe what you cannot do safely or without great difficulty, and what happens when you try. You can then use the money to buy help if you choose.
Source: Age UK
Applying, assessments and appeals
What is an SR1 form and who fills it in?
An SR1 is a medical report supporting a benefit claim under the special rules for end of life. It is completed by a doctor, consultant or specialist nurse who knows about the person's condition, and it is free of charge. It replaced the older DS1500. If you do not yet have the SR1, send the Attendance Allowance form anyway, because payment can be delayed but the claim date is protected.
Source: GOV.UK
What should I put about district nurses on the Attendance Allowance form?
The Attendance Allowance form asks about health and care professionals you have seen in the last 12 months apart from your GP, such as a district nurse, specialist nurse, consultant, occupational therapist, physiotherapist or social worker. For each, give their name, contact details, the condition they help with, how often you see them and when you last saw them. Listing a district nurse who visits regularly is useful evidence of ongoing care needs.
How do I get an Attendance Allowance claim form?
You can apply for Attendance Allowance online on GOV.UK, print the AA1 claim form, or ring the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 to have one posted. Full answer: How to Fill In the Attendance Allowance Form: A Step-by-Step Guide →
How long is the Attendance Allowance form?
The paper Attendance Allowance form, AA1, is long, with around 50 questions and many pages. Most of it covers daytime care needs, supervision, night-time needs, hospital or care home stays and an optional statement from someone who knows you. You can also apply online on GOV.UK. People claiming under the special rules for end of life use a separate, shorter route. Allow a few sittings rather than rushing it.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: How to Fill In the Attendance Allowance Form: A Step-by-Step Guide
How should I fill in the Attendance Allowance form to give the best chance of success?
Describe how you manage on a typical bad day, not your best day, and explain what help you need, how often and how long it takes. Include things you struggle with or avoid, risks such as falls, and needs at night. Mention help you need even if nobody currently gives it. Attach supporting evidence such as care plans or letters, and add a statement from a carer or relative.
Source: Age UK
See also: How to Fill In the Attendance Allowance Form: A Step-by-Step Guide
What are the common pitfalls when claiming Attendance Allowance?
The most common pitfalls are underplaying difficulties, describing a good day, leaving out supervision and night-time needs, and assuming a diagnosis speaks for itself. Others include not sending supporting evidence, waiting too long to claim (it cannot be backdated), not keeping a copy of the form, and forgetting to report hospital or care home stays. Many refusals are overturned after a mandatory reconsideration with better evidence.
Can Attendance Allowance be backdated?
No, Attendance Allowance cannot be backdated to before the date you claim, even if you have needed care for years. Payment starts from the claim date once the six-month qualifying period has been met. An online claim starts on the day you submit it; if you phone for a paper form, your claim starts on the date of the call provided you return the form within six weeks. So claim as soon as care needs appear.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: Attendance Allowance Eligibility: 2026/27 Rates, Savings, Dementia and Pension Credit
Do you need to have needed care for six months before claiming Attendance Allowance?
Normally yes. Attendance Allowance is only paid once you have needed help or supervision for at least six months, and you should give the date your needs started on the form. The exception is the special rules for people who may have 12 months or less to live, who are paid the higher rate with no qualifying period. Missing the six-month mark by a few weeks may simply delay payment.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: Attendance Allowance Eligibility: 2026/27 Rates, Savings, Dementia and Pension Credit
How long does an Attendance Allowance decision take?
Most Attendance Allowance claims are decided within several weeks, though it can take two months or more when the DWP needs extra medical evidence. Special rules claims for people nearing the end of life are prioritised and usually decided within days. You will get a decision letter explaining the rate, start date and reasons. If it has been a long time, you can ring the helpline to check progress.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: Attendance Allowance Eligibility: 2026/27 Rates, Savings, Dementia and Pension Credit
Will I have to attend an assessment for Attendance Allowance?
Usually not. Most Attendance Allowance claims are decided on the claim form and any evidence you send, plus information the DWP may request from your GP or other professionals. Occasionally the DWP arranges an assessment with a healthcare professional, which can be by phone, video or at your home. If you are asked, tell them about any help you need to take part, such as someone with you.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: Attendance Allowance Eligibility: 2026/27 Rates, Savings, Dementia and Pension Credit
Will the DWP contact my GP about my Attendance Allowance claim?
It might. The claim form asks you to consent to the DWP contacting your GP and other professionals you list. They do not always do so, and a GP's records may be brief or out of date, so do not rely on the doctor to describe your daily needs. Your own detailed answers, a carer's statement and copies of letters or care plans usually carry more weight.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: How to Fill In the Attendance Allowance Form: A Step-by-Step Guide
What can I do if my Attendance Allowance claim is refused?
If you disagree with the decision, first ask the DWP for a mandatory reconsideration, explaining why you think it is wrong and sending any new evidence. If the decision stays the same, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. You can also make a fresh claim if your needs have increased. A benefits adviser from Age UK or Citizens Advice can help you build the case.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: Attendance Allowance Eligibility: 2026/27 Rates, Savings, Dementia and Pension Credit
How long do I have to ask for a mandatory reconsideration of Attendance Allowance?
You should ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date on the decision letter. A late request may still be accepted up to 13 months after the decision if you explain why it was late, for example illness or bereavement. Asking for a written statement of reasons can extend the deadline. You can ask by phone or in writing, but written requests leave a record.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: Attendance Allowance Eligibility: 2026/27 Rates, Savings, Dementia and Pension Credit
Can I appeal an Attendance Allowance decision to a tribunal?
Yes. Once you have received the mandatory reconsideration notice, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support), normally within one month. The tribunal is independent of the DWP, and you can choose a paper hearing or attend in person, by phone or by video. It is free to appeal, and a significant share of disability benefit appeals succeed.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: Attendance Allowance Eligibility: 2026/27 Rates, Savings, Dementia and Pension Credit
Can asking for a reconsideration reduce my Attendance Allowance?
It can. A mandatory reconsideration or appeal looks at the whole award, so if you challenge the lower rate to try to get the higher rate, the decision maker could in theory decide you should get less or nothing. This is uncommon, but it is worth reviewing the evidence honestly, or getting advice from a benefits adviser, before challenging an award you already have.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: Attendance Allowance Eligibility: 2026/27 Rates, Savings, Dementia and Pension Credit
Can I claim Attendance Allowance if I'm under State Pension age?
No. If you are under State Pension age you would claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. If you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance when you reach State Pension age, you usually keep that benefit rather than moving to Attendance Allowance, which can be better because PIP has a mobility component that Attendance Allowance does not.
Source: GOV.UK
How it affects other money and care
Does Pension Credit affect Attendance Allowance?
No, getting Pension Credit does not reduce or stop Attendance Allowance. It works the other way: Attendance Allowance is not counted as income for Pension Credit, and it can increase Pension Credit or create entitlement for the first time through the severe disability addition of £86.05 a week. Anyone on Pension Credit who starts getting Attendance Allowance should tell the Pension Service so it can be recalculated.
Does Attendance Allowance affect Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction?
No, Attendance Allowance is not counted as income for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, so it will not reduce them. It can actually increase them, because it may bring extra disability amounts into the calculation and can stop deductions for other adults living with you. Tell your council when Attendance Allowance is awarded so it can reassess your entitlement.
Source: GOV.UK
What happens to Attendance Allowance if I go into hospital?
Attendance Allowance stops after you have been in an NHS hospital for 28 days. Separate stays less than 28 days apart are added together. You must tell the Attendance Allowance helpline when you go in and come out. Payment restarts when you are discharged, as long as you still need care. Private hospital stays you pay for yourself do not stop it.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: Recovering at Home After Hospital: How Reablement Works
Can I still get Attendance Allowance if I go abroad?
Usually, for a temporary absence of up to 13 weeks, or up to 26 weeks if you go abroad for medical treatment for your condition. Longer absences normally stop payment. Different rules can apply if you move to an EEA country or Switzerland. You should tell the Attendance Allowance helpline before you travel so your payments are not stopped or overpaid.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: Attendance Allowance Eligibility: 2026/27 Rates, Savings, Dementia and Pension Credit
Does needing supervision count towards Attendance Allowance?
Yes. Attendance Allowance can be awarded for continual supervision to avoid substantial danger to yourself or others, not only for hands-on help. Examples include risk of falls, seizures, wandering, leaving the cooker on, or confusion about medication. Explain how often the risk arises, what has happened before and what someone does to keep you safe, by day and by night.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: Attendance Allowance Eligibility: 2026/27 Rates, Savings, Dementia and Pension Credit
What changes do I need to report while getting Attendance Allowance?
You must tell the Attendance Allowance helpline about changes such as going into hospital or a care home, your care needs getting better or worse, going abroad, a change of address, or a change in who pays your care home fees. Reporting late can lead to an overpayment you must repay. If needs increase, ask for the higher rate.
Source: GOV.UK
See also: Attendance Allowance Eligibility: 2026/27 Rates, Savings, Dementia and Pension Credit
CQC register data (Oct 2026), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The Care Panel is independent of every provider listed.