Attendance allowance

You can get attendance allowance if:

• you’re over state pension age
• you have a disability or health condition
• your disability or health condition means you need help from a carer
• you have needed help for at least six months

Check out our guide on the eligibility criteria for attendance allowance to find out more.

You’ll either get £73.90 a week or £110.40 a week.

Find out how much you’ll get.

Attendance allowance is not means-tested, so it won’t be affected by any income or savings. It also won’t affect any other benefits you’re getting.

If you’re caring for someone, you may be entitled to carers allowance and/or the carers element of universal credit. 

You can apply for attendance allowance online or by post.

Find out how to start your attendance allowance claim.

Will I need an assessment for attendance allowance?

You’ll need to attend an assessment if it's not clear how your disability or health condition impacts you. 
If an assessment is necessary, you’ll receive a letter explaining why and where to go. 
A medical professional will examine you during the assessment.

Can I get attendance allowance if I live in a care home?

You can't usually get attendance allowance if you live in a care home funded by your local council. 
But you may be able to claim attendance allowance if you pay the care-home fees yourself.

How does attendance allowance work if you have a terminal illness?

If your doctor believes you have less than a year to live, you can apply for the higher rate of attendance allowance

If a loved one is terminally ill, you can apply and sign on their behalf.

You may want to do this if they:

• are too ill to apply
• don’t know their illness is terminal
• are finding it difficult to accept their diagnosis

You don’t need to get their permission to apply on their behalf. Ask the doctor for an SR1 medical form. They can either send this to you or directly to DWP.

After this, you can apply for attendance allowance online or by post.

There won’t be a face-to-face assessment.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) won’t mention anything about them being terminally ill when they contact them about their attendance allowance claim.

What happens to my attendance allowance if my circumstances change?

If your circumstances change, the amount you get may go up or down.

You should let DWP know if:

• there's a change in your condition or the help you need
• your condition gets worse and you’re not expected to live more than a year
• you go into hospital or a care home
• your personal details change e.g. name, address or doctor
• you're going abroad for more than four weeks
• you go to prison
• your immigration status changes (if you’re not a British citizen)

Can I appeal a decision about attendance allowance?

Yes. If you disagree with your attendance allowance decision, you can appeal.

You can challenge the decision if:

• your claim was denied
• you received less than you expected
• your award isn't for as long as you thought

Keep in mind, if you challenge the amount or duration, you might end up with nothing.

To apply for a reconsideration, use the CRMR1 form.

Fill it in, print it and send it to DWP.

If DWP doesn’t change their decision, you can appeal to a tribunal.