Answers · UK 2025/26
How much is Attendance Allowance in 2026/27?
Attendance Allowance for 2026/27 is paid at two rates depending on the level of care needed: a lower rate for people who need help during the day OR at night, and a higher rate for those who need help both during the day AND at night (or who are terminally ill). It's tax-free, not means-tested, and doesn't require a specific diagnosis -- eligibility is based on the practical care and supervision needs arising from a disability or health condition, for people over State Pension age.
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Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of a physical or mental disability or long-term health condition, and it's specifically designed to be non-means-tested and unaffected by savings or other income. **Two rates based on care needs** Attendance Allowance has two weekly rates: a lower rate for people who need frequent help or supervision during the day, or supervision at night, or who need someone to watch over them to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others; and a higher rate for those who need help or supervision both during the day AND at night, or who are terminally ill (in which case the higher rate applies automatically under special rules, without needing to satisfy the usual six-month qualifying period). Because rates are uprated annually (typically each April, in line with CPI or the wider benefits uprating exercise), always check the current gov.uk figures for the exact weekly amounts in force. **Who qualifies -- age and residency** You must have reached State Pension age (currently 66) to make a new claim for Attendance Allowance -- people below State Pension age with similar care needs instead claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or continue receiving Disability Living Allowance if already in payment. You also need to meet UK residency and presence conditions. **No need for a formal diagnosis** Eligibility isn't based on having a specific named condition or diagnosis -- instead, it's based on the practical impact of your condition on your ability to look after yourself, and the level of help or supervision you reasonably need as a result, whether that's due to a physical disability, a mental health condition, dementia, a sensory impairment, or any combination of health issues. **The six-month qualifying period (waived for terminal illness)** For most claimants, you need to have needed this level of help for at least six months before you can claim (though you can apply before the six months is up, to have the claim ready) -- this qualifying period is waived entirely for people who are terminally ill, who receive the higher rate automatically and can access a fast-tracked claims process. **Not means-tested and doesn't affect other income** Attendance Allowance isn't affected by your income, savings, or National Insurance record, and receiving it doesn't reduce other benefits you might get -- in fact, receiving Attendance Allowance can INCREASE entitlement to other means-tested benefits (such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Support) by triggering an additional premium or addition within those benefits' calculations. **How to claim** Claims are made using a paper claim form (available from gov.uk or by phone), which asks detailed questions about how your condition affects your daily life and what help or supervision you need -- providing detailed, specific examples of difficulties on both good and bad days (rather than minimising difficulties, which people often instinctively do) generally leads to a more accurate assessment of the correct rate. **Effect on Carer's Allowance for someone caring for you** If you receive Attendance Allowance, a family member or friend who spends at least 35 hours a week caring for you may become eligible to claim Carer's Allowance in their own right, since Attendance Allowance is one of the qualifying disability benefits for that purpose. **Practical tip** When completing the claim form, describe your worst days and the full range of help or supervision you need in detail (including things you might take for granted, like needing reminders to eat or take medication, or supervision to prevent falls), since assessors rely heavily on the written form, and under-describing your needs is one of the most common reasons for claims being awarded at a lower rate than the claimant's actual needs would justify.
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.