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Plain-English guide · 2026/27

Attendance Allowance, explained simply

Extra money to help with the cost of care if you are State Pension age or over and a health condition or disability means you need help looking after yourself. It is tax-free, it is not means-tested, and having savings or a pension does not stop you claiming.

The two rates

RatePer weekEvery 4 weeksWhen it applies
Lower£76.70£306.80You need help or supervision during the day or during the night.
Higher£114.60£458.40You need help both day and night, or you are terminally ill.

These are the 2026/27 rates, in force from 7 April 2026. They rose by 3.8% from the previous year (£73.90 and £110.40). The money is usually paid straight into your account every 4 weeks and you can spend it however helps you most.

Who can claim

You can usually claim if all of these are true:

You do not need to already have a carer, and you do not need to be actually receiving the help. It is about the help you need. It is also fine to claim if you live alone.

Under State Pension age? You would look at Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead, not Attendance Allowance. The two cannot be claimed together.

Care homes and other benefits

You usually cannot get Attendance Allowance if you live in a care home and your place is paid for by your local council. If you pay all your own care home fees, you can still claim. Attendance Allowance does not reduce your other benefits, and it can actually increase Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, so it is well worth checking.

How to apply for free

  1. Get the AA1 claim form from GOV.UK or by calling the helpline on 0800 731 0122 (textphone 0800 731 0317).
  2. If you ring for the form, your claim can be backdated to the date of your call, as long as you return the form within 6 weeks.
  3. Fill it in fully, focusing on your difficult days and the help you need.
  4. Post it to the address on the form and keep a copy.

CareClaim can help with step 3

We will not fill in the official form for you, but we will help you gather clear, complete wording to copy across, plus a supporting statement and evidence list.

Prepare your draft

Common questions

Will claiming affect my pension or my savings?

No. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so your income, pension and savings do not affect it, and it is tax-free.

Do I need a diagnosis?

The focus is on the help you need day to day, not the label. A clear picture of your care needs matters more than the exact diagnosis, though naming your conditions helps.

How long does a decision take?

It varies. The DWP may write to your GP or ask for more information. Enclosing a supporting statement and evidence up front can help them decide sooner.

Is CareClaim part of the Government?

No. CareClaim is an independent tool and is not connected to the DWP or GOV.UK. You can always apply for free yourself.

Sources: GOV.UK Attendance Allowance, GOV.UK eligibility, DWP benefit and pension rates 2026/2027, Age UK Factsheet 34. Figures checked for the 2026/27 tax year. This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice.