Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you.
It’s paid at 2 different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.
Attendance Allowance is not means-tested - what you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you get.
AA helps you to cover the costs if you need help with personal support if you’re both:
physically or mentally disabled
State Pension age or older
It does not cover mobility needs.
You do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim.
If you do have a carer, they could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs.
Who is eligible?
You can get Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached State Pension age and the following apply:
you have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both
your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
you have needed that help for at least 6 months (unless you’re terminally ill)
You must also:
be in Great Britain when you claim - there are some exceptions, such as members and family members of the armed forces
have been in Great Britain for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands
not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)
How do you claim it?
Use the Attendance Allowance claim form to apply by post. The form comes with notes telling you how to fill it in.
Send the completed form to: Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance
You do not need a postcode or a stamp.
Call the Attendance Allowance helpline to ask for:
a copy of the form
alternative formats, such as braille, large print or audio CD
Attendance Allowance helpline
Telephone: 0800 731 0122
Backdating your claim
Attendance Allowance can be backdated to the date of your claim. This is usually the date your form is received or the date you call the enquiry line (if you then return the claim pack within 6 weeks).