Everything about Attendance Allowance for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care. Rates, eligibility, how to claim, and tips for a successful application.
·5 min read
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you’re State Pension age or over and have a disability or health condition that means you need help looking after yourself.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Key Facts
Feature
Details
What it’s for
Help with extra disability costs
Who can claim
State Pension age and over
Based on
Care needs, not income
Tax status
Tax-free
Affects other benefits?
No — can increase them
Current Rates (2026/27)
Rate
Amount
When Awarded
Lower rate
£72.65/week
Need help day OR night
Higher rate
£108.55/week
Need help day AND night
Terminal illness
Higher rate
Automatic higher rate
What It’s Not
Don’t Confuse With
Difference
PIP
For under State Pension age
DLA
For those already on it before pension age
Carer’s Allowance
For the person caring for you
Eligibility
Basic Requirements
Requirement
Details
Age
State Pension age or over
Care needs
Need help with personal care
Residency
Usually live in UK
Time in UK
2 of last 3 years (exceptions apply)
Disability duration
Usually 6 months (not if terminal)
What “Needing Help” Means
Type of Help
Examples
Personal care
Washing, dressing, using toilet
Supervision
Someone keeping an eye on you
Encouragement
Being prompted to do things
Night needs
Help or watching during night
You Don’t Need to Actually Receive Help
Important
Details
Living alone
Can still qualify
Managing alone
If you struggle, still counts
Family helps
Their help counts
No carer
Still eligible if you need care
Conditions That Qualify
It’s About Care Needs, Not Diagnosis
Focus On
Not On
What you struggle with
What your condition is called
How it affects daily life
Medical terminology
Good days and bad days
Just your best days
Physical and mental
Both count
Common Qualifying Conditions
Physical
Mental/Cognitive
Arthritis
Dementia
Heart disease
Alzheimer’s
COPD/breathing problems
Mental health conditions
Parkinson’s
Learning disabilities
Stroke effects
Confusion
Diabetes complications
Memory problems
Cancer
Anxiety/depression (severe)
Sight/hearing loss
Multiple Conditions
Situation
Approach
Several conditions
Describe all of them
Combined effect
Often stronger claim
One condition worsens another
Explain this
How to Apply
Getting the Form
Method
Details
Phone
0800 731 0122 (claim line)
Post
Request form AA1
Online
Download from gov.uk
Help
Someone can fill it in for you
What You’ll Need
Information
Purpose
Personal details
Name, DOB, NI number
GP details
Name, address
Hospital/consultant
If applicable
Care needs description
Main part of form
Medications
List what you take
The Form (AA1)
Section
What It Asks
About you
Personal details
Your conditions
Health problems
Daytime help
Care needs in day
Night-time help
Care needs at night
Getting around
Mobility difficulties
Declaration
Sign and date
Tips for a Successful Claim
Describing Your Needs
Do
Don’t
Describe worst days
Only mention good days
Be specific
Be vague
Explain what happens without help
Say “I manage”
Include mental health effects
Focus only on physical
Mention falls/incidents
Downplay risks
Examples of Good Descriptions
Instead of
Say
“I can dress myself”
“It takes me 30 minutes to dress. I can’t do buttons. I often give up and stay in nightclothes”
“I can wash”
“I can’t get in/out of bath safely. I have a strip wash but can’t reach my back or feet”
“I cook”
“I only use microwave now. I’ve burnt pans forgetting them. My daughter brings meals 3 times a week”