Attendance Allowance provides essential financial support to people over State Pension age who struggle with day-to-day care due to a disability, illness, or mental health condition. Those eligible may receive up to £441.60 every four weeks, depending on their level of need. The benefit is not means-tested, tax-free, and does not affect a claimant’s entitlement to other forms of state support, offering significant peace of mind and flexibility in later life.
Guidance Available to Help Claimants Navigate the Process
Attendance Allowance is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and aims to assist people with additional care needs remain independent in their own homes. Depending on how much help a person requires, payments are set at either £73.90 or £110.40 per week, with payments made every four weeks, totalling £295.60 or £441.60 respectively.
According to reports, over 1.7 million people across Great Britain were receiving this benefit as of February 2025. The allowance is available to those who need help during the day or night, or both, and may be claimed even if no one is currently providing that help.
Independent Age, a UK-based charity supporting older people, has created a factsheet to support applicants in completing the often detailed claim form. The organisation advises claimants to give specific examples of how their condition affects their daily life, such as how long tasks take, what kind of assistance is needed, and what might happen when that help is not received.
The form should reflect the full extent of the individual’s needs, including variations in condition and any avoidance of activities due to discomfort or risk. Providing supporting documents from GPs, carers or consultants is also encouraged. Independent Age states: “The decision maker will use your claim form to work out whether you qualify for Attendance Allowance, so it’s important to give as much detail as possible.”
Eligibility Based on Care Needs, Not Financial Status
Unlike some other benefits, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested. According to Independent Age, claimants do not have to disclose their savings or income, and the amount they receive will not be affected by financial circumstances. The benefit is also exempt from the Benefit Cap, and receiving it may result in higher payments for other benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.
Those eligible include individuals who require help with tasks like washing, dressing, using the toilet, eating and drinking, getting in or out of bed, or maintaining safety during the day or night. The benefit is available to those with both physical and mental health conditions, and applicants do not need to have a formal diagnosis or be under medical care to apply.
According to guidance published on GOV.UK, conditions commonly associated with successful claims include arthritis, back pain, heart disease, neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, and sensory impairments such as visual or hearing disorders. It also supports those with cognitive and mental health conditions, including dementia and severe mental impairment.
Claimants already receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for care needs are not eligible to receive Attendance Allowance simultaneously. In Scotland, new applicants must claim Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), a devolved benefit that follows similar eligibility and payment rules.
The application process requires completion of a detailed form, which can be requested via GOV.UK or by contacting the DWP. While lengthy, support is available through organisations like Citizens Advice and Independent Age to ensure applicants are not deterred from making a claim.
