Attendance Allowance
Eligibility
You can get Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached State Pension age and the following apply:
- you have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example 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 have needed that help for at least 6 months
There are different eligibility rules if you’re nearing the end of life (for example, due to a life-limiting illness). You might be able to get Attendance Allowance more quickly and at a higher rate.
You must also:
- be in Great Britain when you claim - there are some exceptions, such as members and family members of the armed forces
- 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)
- be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands
- not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)
- not get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
If you live in Scotland
You will need to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead of Attendance Allowance if you live in:
- Aberdeen City
- Argyll and Bute
- Highland
- Orkney Islands
- Shetland Islands
If you live in one of these areas and you already get Attendance Allowance, you do not need to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment.
If you live in another part of Scotland, apply for Attendance Allowance.
If you live in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
You might still be able to get Attendance Allowance if you’re a UK national and you live in or move to the EU, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
Read guidance to find out if you can get benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
If you’re in a care home
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 Attendance Allowance if you pay for all your care home costs yourself.
If you need an assessment
You’ll only need to attend an assessment to check your eligibility if it’s unclear how your illness or disability affects you.
If you do need an assessment you’ll get a letter saying why and where you must go. During the assessment, a medical professional will need to examine you.