What is Attendance Allowance?
In simple terms: Attendance Allowance (AA) is money to help with the extra costs if you have a disability or long-term illness and need help with personal care. It's for people who were over State Pension age when their care needs began.
If you need help during the day OR night
If you need help during the day AND night, OR if you're terminally ill
Key Facts
- • Tax-free - you keep all of it
- • Not means-tested - your savings and income don't matter
- • Doesn't affect other benefits - and can increase them
- • Can spend it how you like - you don't have to use it for care
Who Can Claim Attendance Allowance?
You may be able to claim if:
Currently 66 years old (or you were when your care needs started)
Including dementia, arthritis, heart conditions, breathing problems, mobility issues, and many others
Either during the day, at night, or both
Or are terminally ill (then you can claim straight away)
You Don't Need a Carer
You can claim Attendance Allowance even if you don't have anyone helping you. It's about whether you need help, not whether you're actually getting it. Many people struggle alone when they could be getting this benefit.
What Counts as Needing Help?
Attendance Allowance looks at whether you need help with "bodily functions" and daily life. Think about your worst days, not your best.
Day-time needs
- • Getting washed and bathed
- • Getting dressed
- • Using the toilet
- • Eating and drinking
- • Taking medication
- • Moving around safely
- • Communicating with others
- • Supervision (due to falls risk, confusion, etc.)
Night-time needs
- • Help getting to the toilet
- • Being turned in bed
- • Help with breathing difficulties
- • Someone awake watching over you
- • Managing incontinence
- • Help if you have seizures or panic attacks
- • Someone to calm you if you're confused or distressed
Include These Too
- • Tasks that take you much longer than normal
- • Things you can't do safely without help
- • Activities that cause you pain or exhaustion
- • Times you need reminding or encouragement (prompting)
- • When you need someone nearby in case something goes wrong
Other Benefits Attendance Allowance Unlocks
Getting Attendance Allowance can help you (or someone in your household) qualify for other benefits:
Pension Credit
Extra £81.50/week severe disability addition
Council Tax Reduction
Disability discount on your council tax
Carer's Allowance
For someone who looks after you 35+ hours/week
Housing Benefit
Extra severe disability premium
How to Claim Attendance Allowance
Get the Form
Download form AA1 from GOV.UK or call 0800 731 0122 to get one posted.
Fill It In Carefully
The form asks about your health conditions and how they affect your daily life. Describe your worst days. Include details about difficulties, pain, and how long tasks take.
Get Supporting Evidence
Include letters from your GP, hospital consultants, occupational therapists, or anyone else involved in your care. The more evidence, the better.
Send It Off
Post the form (the address is on the form). Keep copies of everything you send. Your claim starts from the date they receive the form.
Tips for a Successful Claim
- • Describe what happens on your worst days, not your best
- • Include symptoms that come and go
- • Mention if you need someone to remind or prompt you
- • Say how long tasks take and how often you need help
- • Ask someone who knows your needs to help fill in the form
- • Don't be modest - this isn't the time for a "stiff upper lip"
No Medical Assessment!
Good news: Unlike PIP, Attendance Allowance is usually decided on paper - there's no face-to-face assessment. The decision is based on your form and any medical evidence you provide. This is why it's so important to fill in the form thoroughly.
Key Points to Remember
- ✓Tax-free and doesn't affect other benefits (except to increase them)
- ✓You don't need to actually have a carer - it's about need
- ✓No medical assessment - decided on paper evidence
- ✓Describe your worst days, not your best
- ✓Can be backdated 3 months if you meet conditions
- ✓If terminally ill, claim under "Special Rules" for faster decision