Attendance Allowance

Entitlement is based on the help you could reasonably do with, not any help you actually receive.

It is a non means-tested benefit, so you can get it regardless of whether you have savings or capital.

Who can get Attendance Allowance?

You can claim Attendance Allowance if all the following apply: 

• you have a long-term physical or mental illness or disability and have done so for 6 months
• you have needed help with your personal care, for example washing and dressing, or supervision to keep you safe, for at least six months before claiming
• you are over State Pension age
• you meet residence and presence conditions, which you can read more about on the Carers UK guide

If you are terminally ill, you can claim AA without the six-month waiting period under 'special rules', making the application process quicker and simpler. Awards are automatically paid at the higher rate.

You are treated as terminally ill where it would not be a surprise if you were to die within 12 months.

Attendance Allowance is not payable if living in residential care unless fully self-funding.

Personal care and supervision needs

Your care and supervision needs could include things like:

• washing and bathing
• dressing and undressing
• getting in or out of bed
• when you are in bed
• taking medication or having treatment
• communicating to people what you need or making yourself understood
• needing prompting, encouraging or reminding to complete daily activities reliably, if you forget to do them due to memory problems

Attendance Allowance rates

There are 2 rates of Attendance Allowance, a lower rate and a higher rate.

Lower rate

For the lower rate of attendance allowance, you must meet one of the following conditions.

During the day, you need either:

• frequent attention throughout the day in connection with your bodily functions
• continual supervision throughout the day to avoid substantial danger to you or others

During the night, you need either:

• prolonged or repeated attention in connection with your bodily functions
• another person to be awake for a prolonged period or at frequent intervals to watch over you to avoid substantial danger to you or others

Higher rate

For the higher rate of attendance allowance, you must either:

• have one of the day needs and one of the night needs conditions shown above
• be nearing the end of your life

Things that won't prevent you getting Attendance Allowance

A lot of things that affect other benefits don't matter at all when you claim Attendance Allowance.

• income - it doesn't matter whether you have a huge income or no income at all
• savings - it makes no difference whether you have savings or no savings at all
• National Insurance contributions - these are irrelevant to a claim
• who you live with - you can claim regardless of whether you live alone or with other people
• carers - you can be entitled to Attendance Allowance if you have carers or not
• it does not matter if no one actually gives this help, as long as you can show you need it

How to apply

To make a claim, you will need to fill out an Attendance Allowance claim form. You can also call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122.

Download an Attendance Allowance claim form from the GOV.UK website.

Help with applying

Completing the form correctly can be complex and take time. There are a number of local agencies that can support you with your claim. Search for help on the Stockton Welfare Advice Network website.

We have also provided detailed guidance on how to complete the form yourself. The guidance is structured to mirror the application form. Visit our Attendance Allowance guide for detailed guidance to help you fill in the application form.