Attendance Allowance 2026/27: Rates GBP 72.65/GBP 108.55, Eligibility and Claim Guide

Attendance Allowance (AA) is a weekly benefit that helps people aged 65 and over (or reaching State Pension Age) meet the costs of personal care due to physical or mental disability. Unlike many benefits, AA is not means-tested, doesn't depend on National Insurance contributions, and is completely tax-free. In 2026/27, the rates have increased to GBP 72.65 per week (standard rate) and GBP 108.55 per week (enhanced rate). This guide explains who qualifies, what you need to do to claim, and how AA interacts with other benefits.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a state benefit designed to help older people and people with disabilities meet the costs of care and supervision. It's paid to people who have a physical or mental disability that requires them to need supervision or personal care for part or all of the day.

The key points:

• Non-means-tested: Your income and savings are not considered.
• Non-contributory: You don't need to have paid National Insurance contributions.
• Tax-free: AA is not taxable income.
• Lifelong: Once awarded, AA continues indefinitely (unless your circumstances change).
• Guardian benefit: If you're under 18, your parents may claim on your behalf; you can claim for yourself from age 16.

Who is Eligible for Attendance Allowance?

To qualify for AA in 2026/27, you must meet all of the following conditions:

1. Age

You must be:

• Age 65 or over, OR
• Aged 18-64 but have reached State Pension Age (currently 67, rising to 68 in 2044)

If you're below State Pension Age, you should claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead of AA (see the section below for details).

2. Disability and Care Needs

You must have a physical or mental disability that means you need:

• Help with personal care (washing, dressing, eating, toileting, etc.), OR
• Supervision (to ensure you're safe because of confusion, memory problems, or risk of harm)

The disability doesn't have to be immediately visible. It could be:

• Arthritis or mobility issues
• Stroke or neurological condition
• Dementia, Alzheimer's, or other cognitive impairment
• Mental illness (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
• Sensory impairment (blindness, deafness)
• Cancer or terminal illness

Importantly, the help does not have to be unpaid -- you can still claim AA even if you pay for professional care. Many people claim AA and use it to top up the cost of paying a care home or hiring a private carer.

3. Qualifying Period

You must have needed care for at least 3 months before the date you claim (or before your claim is decided, whichever is later).

Exception: If you have a terminal illness (expected to lead to death within 6 months), this 3-month qualifying period is waived. You can claim immediately using the DS1500 form from your doctor.

4. Presence in the UK

You must:

• Be in the UK on the date you claim
• Have been in the UK for at least 2 years immediately before the date of claim (with some exceptions for people of "good character" or with ties to the UK)

People living in hospital or care homes can still claim AA.

5. Not Already Receiving AA

You can only receive one AA award. If you're already receiving AA, you can't claim again until the award expires (though you can apply for an increase in rate).

Attendance Allowance Rates 2026/27

From 9 April 2026, AA is paid at one of two rates:

Which rate you get depends on the level of care you need:

• Standard rate: You need help with personal care OR you need supervision either during the day OR at night (but not both).
• Enhanced rate: You need help with personal care AND supervision both during the day AND at night.

Worked Example: How Rates Are Decided

Example 1 -- Standard Rate:

Margaret is 72 and has arthritis. She needs help washing, dressing, and using the toilet in the morning (personal care). At night, she's independent. She qualifies for the standard rate of GBP 72.65/week.

Example 2 -- Enhanced Rate:

Robert is 78 with advancing dementia. He needs help washing, dressing, and eating throughout the day (personal care). At night, he becomes confused and disoriented, requiring supervision to ensure he doesn't wander or fall. He qualifies for the enhanced rate of GBP 108.55/week because he needs both care and supervision.

Example 3 -- Enhanced Rate (Night Care Only)

Patricia is 70 and has severe sleep apnoea. She's independent during the day but requires monitoring and oxygen support at night (supervision). Additionally, she needs help with personal care in the morning. She qualifies for the enhanced rate of GBP 108.55/week.

Attendance Allowance vs Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

If you're under State Pension Age, you can't claim AA -- you should claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. PIP has broadly similar eligibility (care and mobility needs), but it's specifically for working-age adults (16-64) and has two components:

• Care component: GBP 61.83 (standard) or GBP 92.49 (enhanced) per week
• Mobility component: GBP 24.45 (standard) or GBP 64.50 (enhanced) per week

PIP is also non-means-tested and non-contributory, but the rules and assessment process differ from AA.

Once you reach State Pension Age, you transition from PIP to AA (or stop receiving PIP and claim AA instead). The transition usually happens automatically, but contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you're unsure.

How to Claim Attendance Allowance

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Before claiming, verify:

• Are you aged 65+? (or have reached State Pension Age if under 65)
• Do you need help with personal care or supervision?
• Have you needed this help for at least 3 months?
• Are you in the UK and have been for at least 2 years?

Step 2: Gather Documents

You'll need:

• Your National Insurance number
• Details of your GP and any consultants you see
• Dates you started needing help
• Names and contact details of anyone providing care (family or paid carers)
• A written description of what help you need and when

Step 3: Request an AA Claim Form

Contact the Attendance Allowance Unit at:

By phone: 0800 731 0122 (Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm; textphone 0800 731 0176)

By post: Write to Attendance Allowance Unit, mail handling site B, Wolverhampton WV98 1AA

By email: Via gov.uk contact form (but phone is usually faster)

Ask for the Attendance Allowance claim form (AA1).

Step 4: Complete the Form

The form is lengthy and detailed. It asks:

• Your medical condition and how it affects you
• What help you need with personal care
• What supervision you need and why
• How often you need help (e.g., how many times per day)
• When you need help (daytime, nighttime, both)
• Who provides the help (family member, paid carer, residential home staff, etc.)
• Your GP and hospital consultant details

Important: Describe your needs on a "bad day," not your average day. The form is assessing your eligibility, so emphasize the worst-case scenario and most frequent difficulties.

Step 5: Medical Evidence

You don't need to provide a doctor's letter unless you have a terminal illness (in which case you submit a DS1500 form signed by your doctor, which fast-tracks your claim).

If you don't submit DS1500, the DWP may:

• Contact your GP for medical records
• Ask you to attend an examination with a healthcare professional
• Request hospital discharge letters or specialist reports

This process can take 8-16 weeks.

Step 6: Submit and Wait

Post the completed form to the address provided. You'll receive an acknowledgment and a reference number.

Processing typically takes:

• With DS1500 (terminal illness): 2-4 weeks
• Without DS1500: 8-16 weeks (may be longer if medical evidence requests are needed)

You'll receive a decision letter, and payments start the week after you're approved (usually paid into your bank account every 4 weeks).

Terminal Illness: Fast-Track Process

If you have a terminal illness (prognosis of 6 months or less), you can claim AA immediately without the 3-month waiting period. Your GP can provide a DS1500 form (or SR1 form if self-employed) which:

• Confirms the terminal diagnosis
• Exempts you from the 3-month qualifying period
• Fast-tracks your claim to 2-4 weeks

With a DS1500, you don't need to meet other usual conditions (like the 2-year UK presence requirement in all cases).

This is particularly important for palliative care planning -- claiming AA early means you can use the funds to access the care you need in your final months.

What You Can Spend AA On

AA is yours to spend as you wish -- it's not restricted to specific care-related costs. You could use it for:

• Paying a live-in carer or care agency
• Topping up the cost of a care home
• Paying for cleaning, laundry, or help with household tasks
• Transport to medical appointments
• Adaptations to your home
• Anything else that helps you manage your care needs

Many people use AA as "top-up" income on top of their state pension, as the amount per week (GBP 72.65-108.55) is modest relative to actual care costs, but every bit helps.

Interaction with Other Benefits

State Pension

AA is completely separate from State Pension. You can receive both in full -- they don't affect each other.

Pension Credit

If you receive Pension Credit (a means-tested benefit for people over State Pension Age with low income), AA does not count as income. This means AA doesn't reduce your Pension Credit entitlement. In fact, AA often helps people qualify for additional Severe Disability Premium (SDP) under Pension Credit:

• If you're on Pension Credit and receive AA, you may qualify for an extra GBP 74.75 per week Severe Disability Premium (SDP).
• This can significantly increase your total support.

Council Tax Reduction

AA is disregarded in most council tax reduction schemes -- it won't affect your entitlement.

Disability Living Allowance (Legacy)

If you're claiming both Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and are now aged 65+, the DWP will ask you to switch to AA. You can't receive both simultaneously.

Personal Independence Payment (Legacy)

Similarly, if you transition from PIP to AA on reaching State Pension Age, PIP stops and AA begins.

Housing Benefit

AA is disregarded in Housing Benefit calculations (though many people over 65 receive Pension Credit instead, which incorporates housing costs).

Reviews and Changes to Your Award

AA isn't usually reviewed regularly (unlike PIP, which has mandatory reviews). However:

Your Award is Reviewed If:

• You ask for a review (e.g., if your condition has worsened and you now need both day and night care, you can request an increase from standard to enhanced rate)
• Your circumstances change significantly
• You reach a certain age (DWP may review awards at age 80, though this is discretionary)
• There's a change in benefit rules or rates

If Your Condition Improves:

If you no longer need care, or your needs significantly decrease, your award may end. The DWP may ask you to declare this.

Appealing a Decision

If your claim is rejected or you're awarded the standard rate but believe you need the enhanced rate, you can appeal:

1. Request a mandatory reconsideration within 1 month of the decision letter (contact the AA Unit with reasons why you disagree)
2. If that's rejected, appeal to an independent tribunal

Many appeals succeed, especially if you provide new medical evidence or clarify your care needs more thoroughly in the appeal.

Key Takeaways

• Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested, tax-free weekly benefit for people aged 65+ (or reaching State Pension Age) with care or supervision needs.
• Rates in 2026/27: GBP 72.65/week (standard) or GBP 108.55/week (enhanced).
• Standard rate: You need personal care OR supervision (but not both).
• Enhanced rate: You need personal care AND supervision (day and night, or day and night separately).
• 3-month qualifying period applies (waived for terminal illness with DS1500).
• Not means-tested or contributory -- income, savings, and NI record don't matter.
• Claim by requesting form AA1 from 0800 731 0122; processing takes 2-4 weeks (with DS1500) or 8-16 weeks (standard).
• AA doesn't affect State Pension, Pension Credit (may increase SDP), or council tax reduction.
• You can appeal if rejected or awarded standard when you believe you qualify for enhanced.

If you're over 65 with care needs, AA can provide valuable financial support. Claim as soon as you meet the eligibility criteria -- the benefit is there to help, and the processing time means you want to apply early.

For more information, visit gov.uk/attendance-allowance or contact the Attendance Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0122.

Use our benefits guides and

to understand how AA interacts with your other income sources and affects your overall financial position.