Attendance Allowance

It’s to help with the additional costs of living with a disability or long-term health condition, to meet your needs and to promote independence.

Attendance Allowance is a non-means tested benefit. This means that your savings or income will not affect your eligibility to receive Attendance Allowance. It is also not taxable and should not reduce any other income you may have or affect any other benefits you receive. 

Attendance Allowance is awarded based on the care that you require, not the care that you receive. You do not need to have a carer to receive Attendance Allowance.  

You can apply for Attendance Allowance if you meet the following criteria:

• You are over State Pension age
• You have a physical disability, a mental disability, or both
• You require assistance with personal care during the day and/or during the night (washing, eating, dressing, etc.)
• You have needed assistance for at least six months (unless you are terminally ill)
• You are a resident of the UK

Information on how to apply for Attendance Allowance can be found on GOV.UK if you live in England, Wales, and Scotland, or on nidirect if you live in Northern Ireland.

Attendance Allowance is paid usually every four weeks. The amount you’ll get depends on the level of help you need for your personal care.

There are two different rates for Attendance Allowance – a lower rate and a higher rate.

The lower rate is paid at £68.10 a week and you’ll get this if you need help either during the day or at night.

The higher rate is paid at £101.75 a week and you’ll get this if you need help during the day and also at night.

After you’ve sent your application, you will receive a decision letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The length of your award depends on how long a decision maker from DWP thinks your condition will affect you. It is important that you provide the DWP with supporting evidence explaining your neuromuscular condition when applying.