Attendance Allowance for Couples: Can You Both Claim?

If you and your partner are both living with health conditions or disabilities, you may be wondering whether Attendance Allowance is limited to one person per household.

The answer is no. Attendance Allowance is assessed on an individual basis. This means that if you and your partner each meet the eligibility criteria, you could both receive Attendance Allowance at the same time.

For some couples, that could mean a significant amount of additional financial support each year.

Is Attendance Allowance claimed as a couple?

Unlike some benefits, Attendance Allowance isn't a joint household claim.

Each person is assessed according to their own health condition or disability and the help or supervision they need because of it. To qualify, you generally need to have reached State Pension age and have needed the relevant help for at least six months.

So, if one partner already receives Attendance Allowance, this does not prevent the other partner from making their own claim.

For example, one person may have arthritis that makes washing, dressing and moving around the home more difficult, while their partner may be living with a completely different condition that creates their own day-to-day support needs.

Each claim would be considered separately.

What if one of us has savings or a private pension?

This is another common reason couples may assume they won't qualify.

Attendance Allowance is not means-tested. Your earnings or savings do not affect how much Attendance Allowance you can receive.

That means having savings, receiving a private pension or having a partner with their own income does not, by itself, prevent you from receiving Attendance Allowance.

This is particularly important for couples who may be used to other benefits being assessed using their combined household finances.

Could we receive different amounts?

Yes.

Because each person's needs are considered individually, one partner could qualify for a different rate from the other.

For 2026/27, Attendance Allowance is currently paid at two weekly rates:

£76.70 per week at the lower rate
£114.60 per week at the higher rate

The rate awarded depends on the level of help or supervision the individual needs.

So, for example, one partner could receive the lower rate while the other receives the higher rate.

If both partners qualified for the higher rate, they could receive a combined £229.20 per week — equivalent to £11,918.40 over 52 weeks.

What if we look after each other?

This is where many couples can underestimate the amount of help they actually need.

When you've been together for years, helping one another can simply become part of everyday life.

Perhaps one of you helps the other get dressed, prepares meals because standing for long periods is difficult, reminds the other to take medication, or provides support during the night.

You might not think of yourself as a "carer" — you're simply helping your husband, wife or partner.

But those everyday examples can be important when considering an Attendance Allowance claim.

The eligibility criteria focus on the help or supervision a person needs because of their health condition or disability.

What if only one of us currently claims?

Don't assume that because one person in the household receives Attendance Allowance, that's all you're entitled to as a couple.

If the other partner has also reached State Pension age and has a health condition or disability that means they need help or supervision, it may be worth checking their eligibility separately.

The conditions don't need to be the same, and your needs don't need to be identical.

Do we have to apply separately?

Yes. Because Attendance Allowance is an individual benefit, each person needs to make their own claim based on their circumstances.

The application asks about your health condition or disability and the extra help you need. Claims can currently be made online or by post in England and Wales.

It's important to explain how your condition affects everyday life, rather than simply listing diagnoses.

Could Attendance Allowance affect our other benefits?

Receiving Attendance Allowance can sometimes increase entitlement to certain means-tested benefits. GOV.UK advises that an award could result in extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.

However, other benefit entitlements can depend on your individual household circumstances, so it's worth checking how an award could affect you.

Could you both be missing out?

Being married or living with a partner doesn't mean only one of you can receive Attendance Allowance.

If both of you independently meet the eligibility criteria, both of you can potentially claim — and your savings or income do not determine your Attendance Allowance entitlement.

At Jonathan Owen, we've helped with more than 20,000 Attendance Allowance claims, with a 90%+ success rate, helping people navigate the application process and explain how their health conditions affect their everyday lives.

If you or your partner are over State Pension age and living with health conditions or disabilities, don't assume that one claim is all your household may be entitled to.

Speak to our team today to find out whether you, your partner — or both of you — could qualify for Attendance Allowance.