Attendance Allowance - What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is money for people over pension age who have care needs. You may have care needs if you need help with activities of daily living, such as getting dressed, going to the toilet or having someone to look after you so you do not hurt yourself.

It could include help outside the home. It does not matter if no one actually gives this help, as long as you can show you need it.

You can have any type of disability or illness, including sight or hearing impairments, or mental health issues such as dementia or depression.

Attendance Allowance does not cover mobility needs.

To claim Attendance Allowance, you must have needed help with your care needs for at least 6 months. (If you’re terminally ill , you can make a claim straight away.)

Attendance Allowance is paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.

Attendance Allowance is not a means-tested benefit so your income and savings are not taken into account when assessing if you qualify for the benefit.

Claiming Attendance Allowance won’t reduce any other income you receive. If you’re awarded it, you may become entitled to other benefits, such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, or an increase.

In Scotland, Attendance Allowance will be replaced by a new benefit called the Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). This new benefit will start in some areas in October 2024 and will be available everywhere in Scotland by April 2025. If you currently receive Attendance Allowance, you will automatically switch to the new Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). You can find out when it comes to your area.

Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Age rules: You must be Pension Age or over

If you are aged under pension age, see our Personal Independence Payment guide

Type of benefit: Non means-tested benefit

Taxable: No

Administered by: Disability and Carers Service, Department of Work and Pensions