What is Attendance Allowance and how much is it?

How much Attendance Allowance pays in 2026/27

In 2025/26 the rates were £73.90 and £110.40.

Which rate you get

• Lower rate: you need frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night.
• Higher rate: you need help or supervision both during the day and at night, or a medical professional has said you might be nearing the end of life.

You do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim.

Who can get it

You can usually get Attendance Allowance if you:

• have reached State Pension age
• have a physical disability (including a sensory disability, such as blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties) or a health condition
• need help caring for yourself, or someone to supervise you for your own or someone else's safety
• have needed that help for at least 6 months (unless you are nearing the end of life)
• are not getting Disability Living Allowance, PIP, Adult Disability Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment

If you are under State Pension age, the equivalent benefit is Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

What does not affect it

Attendance Allowance is not means-tested. What you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you get. It does not cover mobility needs.

Why claiming can be worth more than the headline rate

Getting Attendance Allowance could mean you get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction. Check with the helpline or office dealing with your benefit. Someone who cares for you for at least 35 hours a week may be able to claim Carer's Allowance.

How to claim

You can apply online or by post. To get a paper form, print it from GOV.UK or call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). If you apply online, your claim starts on the date you apply. You should get a text or letter within 3 weeks telling you when to expect a decision.

If you are nearing the end of life, there is a different way to claim, and you can get the higher rate.

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

• Scotland: you apply for Pension Age Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland instead.
• Northern Ireland: Attendance Allowance is run separately, so check nidirect.

Related guides

• How do I get and fill in the Attendance Allowance form?
• Does Attendance Allowance affect Pension Credit?
• What is Pension Credit?
• What is Pension Age Disability Payment?
• What is Carer's Allowance?

Where these figures come from

• Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 (DWP). Rates usually change every April.
• Attendance Allowance: what you'll get (GOV.UK)
• Attendance Allowance: eligibility (GOV.UK)
• Attendance Allowance: how to claim (GOV.UK)