A Guide to Attendance Allowance in the UK

This guide aims to provide you with an overview of Attendance Allowance in the UK.

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free financial benefit provided by the UK government to individuals aged 66 or older that may be suffering from a medical condition or a long-term illness.

This benefit is designed to help with the extra costs of personal care that you may need - but you can spend the money however you like.

Attendance Allowance is non-means-tested, so the amount you receive is not affected by your income or savings. 

Who is eligible to claim Attendance Allowance?

• You must be aged 66 or older when you apply.
• You should be living in the UK and not subject to immigration control.
• You should have a physical or mental condition that requires assistance with personal care. You can claim even if you only need a very small amount of help with daily tasks. Examples could be:
  • Difficulty getting in and out of your chair or up the stairs.
  • Struggling to get in and out of the bath, your bed or shower
  • Struggle with any blurred vision
  • Back, knee or hip pain
  • Diabetes
  • Arthritis or Osteoporosis
  • Hearing difficulties
  • Breathing difficulties like asthma
  • Anxiety, Stress or Mental Health issues

Who is not eligible to claim Attendance Allowance?

Please note that you CANNOT receive this allowance if you are already claiming:

• PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
• DLA (Disability Living Allowance)
• ADP (Adult Disability Payment)
• Attendance Allowance

How much Attendance Allowance could I get?

Attendance Allowance is non-means-tested, so the amount you receive is not affected by your income or savings. The amount of Attendance Allowance varies depending on the level of care needed. As of April 2024, the higher rate is £108.55 per week, that’s £942 a month per couple. The lower rate is £72.65 a week, that’s £629 a month per couple!

The lower rate is for individuals who require frequent assistance or supervision during the day or at night. The higher rate is for those who require assistance or supervision throughout both day and night, or are terminally ill.

Any money you do receive doesn't need to be spent on your care.

Is Attendance Allowance taxable?

The money you receive isn't taxable or means-tested – so your savings or income won't affect your claim. Claiming also won't affect any other benefits you receive. In fact, it can actually help you get other benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Council tax Reduction.

How do I apply for Attendance allowance?

You can apply for Attendance Allowance yourself directly via the Department of Work and Pensions; however, most people are unsuccessful at completing the 32-page document correctly and 92% are refused the benefit.

We can help you secure this lifelong benefit, and we charge no upfront fee. Should your application be successful we charge a fee of £400 plus VAT, which is usually covered by your first back dated payment. All subsequent payments are 100% yours to keep and spend however you like.

Assessment Process:

• After submitting your application, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will review it.
• In some cases, the DWP may request additional information or arrange for a healthcare professional to conduct a face-to-face assessment.
• The assessment aims to determine the level of care and support you require.

Decision and Payment:

• The DWP will inform you of their decision regarding your Attendance Allowance application.
• It is usually paid every four weeks, directly into your bank account or by check.

How long does it take to receive Attendance Allowance?

It can take up to 12 weeks to receive Attendance Allowance, but if successful, your claim starts from the day your application arrives.

Got any questions about Attendance Allowance?

Speak to our advisors today for a free no-obligation consultation.