Attendance Allowance (AA)

A tax-free benefit for those who have reached pensionable age and who need help with personal care because of illness or disability.

Attendance Allowance is not affected by income, savings or capital and depending on your circumstances an award could mean increases in or entitlement to other benefits; you do not have to have paid national insurance contributions to claim.

Who can claim? 

You qualify if all of the following apply:

• You are aged 65 or over (reached pensionable age) when you first claim
• You satisfy conditions about residence and presence in the UK and you are not a ‘person subject to immigration control’.
• You satisfy a disability test. This tests whether you need help with your ‘bodily functions’, (e.g. - washing/bathing, dressing/undressing) or whether you require supervision (examples -  because of falls or self-neglect) to avoid danger to yourself or others.
• You have needed help for at least 6 months (unless terminally ill)

Depending on the amount of help you need, you may qualify for a lower or higher rate.

There are ‘special rules’ for ‘terminal illness’ – your claim can be fast tracked.

You could be asked to undertake an assessment to determine whether you are eligible for Attendance Allowance.

NB: when considering whether to claim, especially if you do not have someone who regularly cares for you at home – don’t be put off! It is important to know that it is not the help you get, it’s the help you need. 

How much do you get?

Lower rate: £60.00 a week (2021/22)
Higher rate: £89.60 a week (2021/22)

How do you claim?

Claim on form AA1, available from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) Attendance Allowance Service Centre on 0800 731 0122 –alternatively forms can be downloaded and printed off from www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance.