How Is Your Attendance Allowance Rate Decided? Higher vs Lower Rates Explained
Did you know that Attendance Allowance could provide you with up to £5,959 a year in additional financial support?
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit available to people over State Pension age who have a disability or health condition and may need help with personal care or supervision.
Many people don't realise that Attendance Allowance is paid at two different rates, depending on the level of support they need.
So, what's the difference between the higher and lower rates? How much could you receive? And how is the amount you're entitled to decided?
Here's everything you need to know about Attendance Allowance rates in 2026.
How Much Is Attendance Allowance in 2026?
Attendance Allowance is paid at two different rates: a lower rate and a higher rate.
The amount you receive depends on your care or supervision needs, rather than your income, savings or the specific health condition you have.
The current rates for 2026/27 are:
| |
Lower Rate |
Higher Rate |
| Weekly |
£76.70 |
£114.60 |
| Monthly per Individual |
£332 |
£496 |
| Monthly per Couple |
£664 |
£993 |
This means that someone receiving the higher rate could receive almost £6,000 a year in additional financial support.
Importantly, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, meaning your income, savings and pension will not affect the amount you receive. Any money you do receive doesn't need to be spent on your care, it can be spent however you like.
What Is the Lower Rate of Attendance Allowance?
The lower rate of Attendance Allowance is currently £76.70 per week, equivalent to £3,988.40 per year.
You may qualify for the lower rate if you need frequent help with personal care or continual supervision during the day, or qualifying help or supervision during the night.
For example, you might:
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Need assistance with washing, bathing or getting dressed.
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Have difficulty getting in or out of bed.
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Require supervision to keep yourself safe because of a health condition.
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Need help using the toilet or managing personal care.
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Require assistance or supervision during the night.
You don't necessarily need to receive this help from someone else to qualify.
What matters is whether you reasonably need the support, even if you're currently managing without it.
What Is the Higher Rate of Attendance Allowance?
The higher rate of Attendance Allowance is currently £114.60 per week, equivalent to £5,959.20 per year.
This rate is generally awarded to people who have qualifying care or supervision needs during both the day and the night.
For example, someone may require regular assistance with personal care throughout the day and also need help or supervision overnight.
The higher rate may also be awarded under special rules for people nearing the end of life.
It's important to understand that the higher rate isn't automatically awarded because someone has a particular diagnosis or a more serious medical condition.
Instead, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) considers how their condition affects their daily life and the level of help or supervision they reasonably require.
How Is Your Attendance Allowance Rate Decided?
When assessing an Attendance Allowance claim, the DWP looks at how your disability or health condition affects your ability to manage personal care and stay safe.
This can include:
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Personal care: Whether you need assistance with everyday activities such as washing, dressing, eating or using the toilet.
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Supervision: Whether you need someone nearby to prevent substantial risks to your safety.
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Daytime needs: How frequently you require assistance or supervision throughout the day.
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Night-time needs: Whether you require qualifying assistance or supervision during the night.
Your diagnosis alone doesn't determine which rate you'll receive.
Two people with the same medical condition could receive different amounts because their individual care needs are different.
Equally, you don't have to be receiving professional care or have a carer living with you to make a claim.
Can Your Attendance Allowance Increase?
Yes. If you're already receiving the lower rate of Attendance Allowance and your care needs increase, you may become eligible for the higher rate.
For example, someone who previously needed assistance during the day may begin requiring qualifying support overnight as well.
If your circumstances change, it's important to inform the DWP so your entitlement can be reviewed.
Depending on your circumstances, your rate could increase, decrease or remain the same.
Does Attendance Allowance Affect Your Pension or Savings?
One of the biggest misconceptions about Attendance Allowance is that you won't qualify if you have savings, receive a good pension or own your home.
However, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested.
This means:
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Your savings don't affect your entitlement.
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Your income and pension don't determine your rate.
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You can still qualify if you own your home.
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Attendance Allowance is tax-free.
In some circumstances, receiving Attendance Allowance could also increase your entitlement to other financial support, including Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.
It's worth checking whether you could qualify for additional support once Attendance Allowance has been awarded.
How Can You Find Out Which Rate You Might Qualify For?
If you're over State Pension age and living with a disability or long-term health condition, you may be eligible for Attendance Allowance.
Generally, you must have needed qualifying help or supervision for at least six months, although different rules apply to people nearing the end of life. Other eligibility conditions also apply.
Understanding which rate you might qualify for can sometimes be confusing, particularly if you've become accustomed to managing difficulties independently.
The important thing is to consider the support you reasonably need, rather than simply focusing on what you currently receive.
Let Jonathan Owen Help You Understand Your Entitlement
At Jonathan Owen, we understand that navigating the benefits system can feel overwhelming.
We have helped more than 20,000 people submit successful Attendance Allowance claims providing over £100 million for our customers. Our team specialises in helping people understand their eligibility and apply for the financial support they may be entitled to.
Whether you're applying for Attendance Allowance for the first time or would like to understand the difference between the higher and lower rates, we're here to help.
Could you be entitled to up to £5,959 a year?
Get in touch here to find out more about Attendance Allowance and how we can help you with your application.
Attendance Allowance rates quoted are for the 2026/27 financial year. Eligibility and the amount awarded depend on individual circumstances. Annual figures are calculated using 52 weeks.
