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Attendance Allowance

Non-means-tested DWP benefit for people over State Pension age in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland who need help with personal care because of a physical or mental disability.

Headline rate£114.60higher rate (weekly)
Written by Due to You Editorial
Reviewed by D2Y Editorial Team
Last updated (2026-04-20)
Sourced from: GOV.UK

Overview

Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for people who have reached State Pension age and who need help or supervision because of a physical disability, mental disability, or long-term health condition. It is paid at two weekly rates, with the lower rate for those who need frequent help or supervision during the day or at night, and the higher rate for those who need such help both during the day and at night, or who are terminally ill. Income, savings, and employment status do not affect entitlement, and the payment is tax-free. The benefit applies in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; in Scotland, Attendance Allowance has been replaced for new claims by Pension Age Disability Payment administered by Social Security Scotland. Receiving Attendance Allowance can also increase the amount of other means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit or Housing Benefit, and it can enable a person caring for the claimant to qualify for Carer's Allowance. Eligibility and rate are determined by the DWP on the basis of the claimant's care and supervision needs. This page references figures and criteria from the primary GOV.UK source; the authoritative source for any individual award remains the DWP.

Applies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Administered by DWP. This page is general information; contact DWP for your individual circumstances.

Rates

RateAmountPeriodSource
Higher rate£114.60WEEKLY[GOV.UK]
Lower rate£76.70WEEKLY[GOV.UK]

Eligibility criteria include

  • RESIDENCE
    You must have been in Great Britain for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this does not apply if you're a refugee or have humanitarian protection status). [GOV.UK]
  • RESIDENCE
    You must be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. [GOV.UK]
  • HOUSING STATUS
    You cannot usually get Attendance Allowance if you live in a care home and your care is paid for by your local authority. You can still claim if you pay for all your care home costs yourself. [GOV.UK]
  • AGE
    You must have reached State Pension age to be eligible. [GOV.UK]
  • DISABILITY
    You must have a physical disability (including sensory disability, e.g. blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or a health condition. [GOV.UK]
  • DISABILITY
    Your disability or health condition must be severe enough that you need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else's safety. [GOV.UK]
  • OTHER
    You must have needed that help for at least 6 months. [GOV.UK]
  • RESIDENCE
    You must be in Great Britain when you claim, with some exceptions such as members and family members of the armed forces. [GOV.UK]
  • IMMIGRATION
    You must not be subject to immigration control (unless you're a sponsored immigrant). [GOV.UK]
  • OTHER
    You must not already be getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA) or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP). [GOV.UK]

Sources