Attendance Allowance - introduction

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit you may get if you're aged 65 or over and need help with personal care because you're physically or mentally disabled.

Introduction to Attendance Allowance

The information in this section is a guide only. The Disability and Carers Service can answer any questions you may have about claiming and receiving Attendance Allowance.

Who can get Attendance Allowance?

You may get Attendance Allowance if:

you have a physical disability (including sensory disability, such as blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both
your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
you are aged 65 or over when you claim

Attendance Allowance is not usually affected by any savings or income you may have. If you are under age 65, you may be able to get Disability Living Allowance.

Disability Living Allowance - introduction

Special Rules - if you are terminally ill

They are special rules for people who are terminally ill. This means people who have a progressive illness and are not expected to live more than another six months. The special rules mean people get the higher rate of Attendance Allowance straight away.

Attendance Allowance - eligibility

Medical examinations

You will not usually need a medical examination when you claim for Attendance Allowance. If you are asked to have one you can find out more from the link below.

Attendance Allowance - medical examination

How much do you get?

The amount you get depends on how much your disability affects you. There are two rates of Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance	Weekly rate
Higher rate	£73.60
Lower rate	£49.30

How to claim

Claim straight away - if you delay you may lose benefit.

You can claim online.

Attendance Allowance - rates and how to claim

The Benefit Enquiry Line provides advice and information on the range of benefits available.

How it's paid

Attendance Allowance is normally paid directly into any account of your choice which accepts direct payment of benefits. This might be a bank, building society or other account provider.

You may be able to get someone else to collect your Attendance Allowance if you wish. For help with this please contact your bank, building society or other account provider.

If you would like more information about how you can be paid by other means please contact the office dealing with your claim - details are in the 'Rates and how to claim' section.

Effect on other benefits and entitlements

If you start to get Attendance Allowance, it might increase the amount of other benefits or credits you're entitled to.

You may get an extra amount for severe disability with:

Housing Benefit
Pension Credit

Attendance Allowance is normally ignored as income for working out these income-related benefits and credit.

Your circumstances

Changes to your circumstances can affect the amount of Attendance Allowance you get or whether you get it. To get Attendance Allowance you must also meet certain conditions about your residence and presence.