Attendance Allowance

Last reviewed by Scope on: 25/03/2024

This information applies to England and Wales.

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people over State Pension age who have personal care needs. This could be with things like getting dressed, washing yourself or eating.

To be eligible you need regular support through the day, through the night or all day and all night.

You can use Attendance Allowance to pay for anything. This could be personal care, a holiday or anything else you need.

Attendance Allowance:

is not taxable
does not count as income for means-tested benefits (Turn2us)

Easy read: Attendance Allowance (GOV.UK)

British Sign Language: Attendance Allowance (GOV.UK)

Warning Claim PIP if you are under State Pension age

It is possible to claim more with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) than Attendance Allowance.

You cannot start claiming PIP after State Pension age. But if you are already receiving PIP when you reach State Pension age, you can carry on receiving it and you do not need to do anything until your next review.

PIP also has a mobility component that you could use to pay for a vehicle under the Motability Scheme. You cannot use Attendance Allowance for Motability.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Claim PIP if you think you may be eligible.

Personal Independence Payment: How to claim (GOV.UK)

Eligibility criteria

To be entitled to Attendance Allowance you must show that you need all of the following:

long-term support
frequent support
specific support

Get written medical evidence if you can. For example, a letter from a doctor.

Long-term support

You have needed support for 6 months and will need it for at least another 6 months.

Frequent support

You need frequent support through the day, the night or both.

Specific support

You are eligible if you need support with ‘bodily functions’. These include:

breathing
dressing
drinking
eating
going to the toilet
getting into or out of bed
hearing
seeing
sitting
sleeping
walking
undressing

You may be eligible if you need support with any of the following:

to stop being a danger to yourself or other people
because you have a mental health condition
because you have learning difficulties

Attendance Allowance form

Call to ask for the forms and your claim will start from when you call.

Telephone: 0800 731 0122

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Attendance Allowance: How to claim and helpline details (GOV.UK)

Forms

You can also download the forms instead of calling the government helpline. Your claim will start when the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) receives your form by post.

Attendance Allowance claim form (GOV.UK)