What Is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance (AA) is a weekly benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help with the extra costs of long-term illness or disability. It is not means-tested, so your income, savings, and whether you work do not affect your entitlement.
You can spend the money however you choose. Many people use it to help pay for stairlifts, mobility scooters, home care, or other support that helps them live independently.
How Much Is Attendance Allowance?
There are two rates for the 2025/26 tax year:
- Lower rate: £72.65 per week if you need help during the day or night
- Higher rate: £108.55 per week if you need help both during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill
The higher rate works out at over £5,600 per year, which can make a significant difference when funding mobility equipment or home adaptations.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for Attendance Allowance, you must:
- Be aged 65 or over (if you are under 65, you may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment instead)
- Have a physical or mental disability, including age-related conditions
- Have needed help for at least 6 months (unless you are terminally ill, in which case you can claim straight away under special rules)
- Normally live in Great Britain (England, Scotland, or Wales)
You do not need to have someone actually providing care. The benefit is based on the help you need, not the help you currently receive.
What Counts as “Needing Help”?
You may qualify if you need help or supervision with activities such as:
Daytime Needs
- Getting washed, bathed, or showered
- Getting dressed and undressed
- Using the toilet
- Eating and drinking
- Moving around your home safely
- Taking medication
- Communicating with others
- Supervision to avoid danger (for example, due to falls, confusion, or seizures)
Night-time Needs
- Help getting in and out of bed
- Help using the toilet during the night
- Someone needing to be awake to watch over you
- Help if you are at risk of falling out of bed
How to Claim Attendance Allowance
You can claim by completing the AA1 form. There are several ways to get the form:
- Online: download the form from GOV.UK or request one online
- By phone: call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
- By post: write to the Disability Benefits Centre
Top tip: your claim is dated from the day you request the form, not when you submit it. So request the form as soon as possible, even if you need time to fill it in.
Tips for Filling in the Form
The AA1 form is long and detailed. These tips can help you complete it successfully:
- Describe your worst days, not your best. The DWP needs to understand how your condition affects you when it is at its most difficult.
- Be specific. Instead of writing “I have difficulty walking,” explain how far you can walk, how long it takes, whether you need a walking aid, and what happens if you try to walk further.
- Include everything. Mention every difficulty you have, even things you feel embarrassed about. The assessors deal with these situations every day.
- Get help filling it in. You can ask a family member, friend, carer, or advice worker to help you. Organisations like Citizens Advice and Age UK offer free support.
- Keep a copy of your completed form before sending it.
- Include supporting evidence where possible, such as a letter from your GP or consultant.
The Assessment Process
Unlike Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance usually does not require a face-to-face assessment. Most decisions are made based on the information you provide in the AA1 form and any supporting medical evidence.
In some cases, the DWP may ask for further information from your GP or specialist, or may arrange for a healthcare professional to visit you at home. This is relatively uncommon.
What Happens After Claiming?
After you submit your form, the DWP will write to you with a decision. This typically takes 4 to 8 weeks, although it can sometimes be quicker or slower.
If your claim is successful, your payments will be backdated to the date you requested the form (or the date you first contacted the helpline).
If your claim is refused, you have the right to:
- Ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month
- If still refused, appeal to an independent tribunal
Many claims that are initially refused are overturned on reconsideration or appeal, so it is worth pursuing if you believe you qualify.
Interaction with Other Benefits
Attendance Allowance can affect your entitlement to other benefits, usually in a positive way:
- Pension Credit: receiving AA can increase your Pension Credit entitlement through a “severe disability addition”
- Housing Benefit: AA can increase the amount of Housing Benefit you receive
- Council Tax: you may qualify for a Council Tax reduction or exemption
- Carer’s Allowance: the person who cares for you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance once you receive AA
Attendance Allowance is not means-tested and is not taxable. It does not affect your State Pension.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not claiming because you do not have a carer. You do not need to have someone looking after you. The benefit is based on the care you need.
- Downplaying your difficulties. Many people are naturally modest. Describe your difficulties honestly and thoroughly.
- Forgetting night-time needs. If you need help at night, make sure you include this, as it could qualify you for the higher rate.
- Not claiming because you think you will not qualify. Many conditions qualify, including arthritis, heart disease, COPD, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and visual impairments. If in doubt, apply.
Using Attendance Allowance for Mobility Equipment
Attendance Allowance can be used to fund any mobility equipment you need, including:
- Stairlifts
- Wheelchairs
- Mobility scooters
- Bathroom adaptations
- Rise and recline chairs
- Personal alarm systems
Remember that you can also claim VAT exemption on most mobility equipment, stretching your budget even further.