Where this guide applies
Nations
This guide covers England and Wales. If you live in Scotland you cannot claim Attendance Allowance. You apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead, and gov.uk says the same on its eligibility page. The statutory basis is section 64(1A) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, which lists pension age disability payment among the allowances that block Attendance Allowance entitlement.
In Northern Ireland there is a different way to claim, set out on gov.uk.
Free help with your claim
You do not need to pay anyone to claim Attendance Allowance. Age UK, Citizens Advice and Independent Age all help with Attendance Allowance claims for free, and the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 can arrange a home visit to help you complete the form.
What Attendance Allowance is
Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over State Pension age who need attention or supervision because of a physical or mental disability. It is not means tested and not taxable, and it is paid in addition to State Pension. The conditions are set out in section 64 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, which is about attention or supervision by day and by night. Unlike PIP there is no mobility component, so it covers care needs only.
Who qualifies
You need to meet all of these, per the gov.uk eligibility conditions:
- Be State Pension age or older, and not living in Scotland.
- Have a physical or mental disability, which includes conditions such as sight loss, dementia, heart or lung conditions, arthritis, frailty, mental illness and learning disability.
- Have needed help with personal care, or supervision for your safety, for at least the last 6 months. The needs do not have to be met already. What matters is that you need the help.
- Meet the residence and presence conditions, which are set out in the Social Security (Attendance Allowance) Regulations 1991.
If you are under State Pension age, look at PIP instead.
The two rates
There are two rates only, based on how much help you need, with no age related uplift. Both figures are from gov.uk, and the statutory basis for the higher rate is section 65 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992.
- Lower rate: £76.70 a week. You need frequent help throughout the day, or repeated supervision throughout the night.
- Higher rate: £114.60 a week. You need help during both the day and the night, or you are terminally ill under the Special Rules.
"Frequent" means several times, not only morning and night. "Supervision" covers risks such as falls, leaving the cooker on, wandering or self harm, where someone needs to be available even if they do not have to step in every time.
When your claim can start
Attendance Allowance cannot be backdated. If you phone the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, the form you are sent is date stamped, and if you return it within six weeks your award can start from the date you called. If you claim online, your award can start from the date you make the claim. If you download a form or get one from an agency, your claim can only start from the date DWP receives the completed form.
That is why the phone and online routes come first here. A reader who downloads the form instead can lose up to six weeks of a potential award. The claim routes, including the separate Northern Ireland route, are set out on gov.uk.
How it interacts with other benefits
Attendance Allowance is ignored as income for means tested benefits. Being awarded it can also open the door to extra amounts elsewhere, so it is worth checking these at the same time:
- A severe disability addition in Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, where you live alone or are treated as living alone and nobody is paid Carer's Allowance for caring for you.
- A carer addition for someone who cares for you, which is covered in our Carer's Allowance guide.
- Council Tax disability reduction in some cases, which is covered in our Council Tax guide.
- A Blue Badge on the discretionary route, since Attendance Allowance does not automatically qualify.
It is worth checking Pension Credit alongside Attendance Allowance, because the two are often looked at together.
Special Rules for End of Life
If a clinician, which can be a GP, consultant or specialist nurse, believes you may have 12 months or less to live, the Special Rules for End of Life apply:
- The higher rate applies.
- The 6 month qualifying period is waived.
- The clinician completes form SR1 instead of you completing AA1.
You do not have to know about the prognosis for a claim to be made on your behalf.
Care home and hospital rules
If you move into a care home and the local authority funds any part of your care, payment stops after 28 days. If you pay the full fee yourself, payment continues. There are also rules about periods in hospital. Separated periods away from home can be linked and counted together, so if you alternate between home and a care home for respite it is worth keeping careful records of the dates. These rules are in the Social Security (Attendance Allowance) Regulations 1991, SI 1991/2740.
Filling in form AA1
Form AA1, DWP print date 11/25, is 32 pages and 64 questions, plus a separate 12 page notes booklet. It is the main document in the claim, and there is no scored functional test, because Attendance Allowance is a care needs test about attention and supervision by day and by night. Use specific examples, describe a typical bad day, and set out how often you need help, how long it takes and what would happen without it. Attach supporting medical evidence yourself.
Local Age UK branches, Citizens Advice and Independent Age will help you complete AA1 for free, and the Attendance Allowance helpline can arrange a home visit.
If refused
Request a Mandatory Reconsideration within 1 month of the decision, and add anything missing, such as new medical evidence or more detail on supervision and night time needs. If the Mandatory Reconsideration does not change the decision, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal within 1 month using form SSCS1. The process mirrors PIP tribunal appeals.
Frequently asked questions
Does this guide apply in Scotland?
No. This guide covers England and Wales. In Scotland you apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead of Attendance Allowance, through mygov.scot. Northern Ireland has a different claim route.
How much is Attendance Allowance?
£76.70 a week at the lower rate and £114.60 a week at the higher rate, per gov.uk. It is not taxable and not means tested.
Who qualifies?
You must be State Pension age, have needed help with personal care or supervision for at least 6 months because of a physical or mental disability, and meet the residence and presence conditions. Below State Pension age, PIP is the benefit to look at instead.
When can my claim start?
Attendance Allowance cannot be backdated. If you phone the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, the form you are sent is date stamped, and if you return it within six weeks your award can start from the date you called. If you claim online, your award can start from the date you make the claim. If you download a form or get one from an agency, your claim can only start from the date DWP receives the completed form.
Does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
It is ignored as income for means tested benefits. Being awarded it can also open the door to extra amounts in Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, so it is worth checking those at the same time.
What are the Special Rules for End of Life?
If a clinician believes you may have 12 months or less to live, the higher rate applies and the 6 month qualifying period is waived. Your clinician completes form SR1 instead of you completing AA1.
Can I get AA if I live in a care home?
If the local authority funds any part of your care, payment stops after 28 days. If you pay the full fee yourself, payment continues. Separated periods in a care home can be linked under the Social Security (Attendance Allowance) Regulations 1991.