What is Attendance Allowance and how much is it worth in 2026/27?

Full answer

Attendance Allowance helps people over State Pension age with the extra costs of needing personal care because of a physical or mental disability, illness, or condition -- it is one of the few UK benefits that is neither means-tested nor based on National Insurance record. **Who can claim** You must be over State Pension age (currently 66, rising in stages) and have needed help with personal care (such as washing, dressing, or supervision to stay safe) for at least six months because of a disability or illness, unless you are terminally ill, in which case the six-month rule is waived and claims can be fast-tracked. **Two rates for 2026/27** - **Lower rate: £73.90 a week** -- if you need frequent help or supervision during the day, OR at night, but not both. - **Higher rate: £110.40 a week** -- if you need help or supervision both during the day AND at night, or you are terminally ill. **It is not means-tested** Unlike many benefits, Attendance Allowance is not affected by your savings, income, or pension -- you can claim it regardless of how much you have in the bank or what other income you receive, and it is entirely tax-free. **No requirement to actually receive care** You do not need to already be receiving help from a carer to qualify -- you only need to show that you NEED that level of help, even if a family member, friend, or no one is currently providing it. **Worked example** Margaret, aged 78, has severe arthritis and needs help getting dressed each morning and reminding to take medication at night. She qualifies for the higher rate (£110.40/week, or roughly £478/month), which she can spend however she chooses -- on care costs, equipment, or everyday living expenses, with no restrictions on how it is used. **Boosting other benefits** Receiving Attendance Allowance can also trigger increases in other means-tested benefits or entitlements such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Reduction, because it adds a "severe disability" premium to some benefit calculations -- so claiming can have a knock-on financial benefit beyond the headline weekly amount. **How to claim** You apply using form AA1 (available from the Department for Work and Pensions), either by post or online via GOV.UK, describing your care needs in detail; a decision typically takes several weeks and can be backdated to the date of the original claim in some circumstances.

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