From 7 April 2026, the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Attendance Allowance will provide a lower rate of £76.70 per week or a higher rate of £114.60 per week to eligible individuals over State Pension age who require help with personal care or supervision due to a disability or illness. This benefit is designed to support those needing assistance day or night, yet more than 1.1 million eligible households currently do not claim their annual entitlement, leaving approximately £5.2 billion unclaimed each year. Understanding eligibility and the straightforward application process can unlock significant financial support for many.

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

Attendance Allowance is a UK DWP benefit designed for individuals who have reached State Pension age and need regular assistance with personal care or supervision because of a physical or mental disability or illness. The benefit is not means-tested, meaning a claimant's income or savings do not affect their entitlement. It is also not taxable, providing full value to the recipient.

For the 2026/27 financial year, the Attendance Allowance rates are set to increase by 3.8 per cent, reflecting the September 2025 Consumer Prices Index (CPI) figure used for benefit uprating. This adjustment establishes the following weekly rates from 7 April 2026:

• The lower rate is £76.70 per week. Over a year, this amounts to approximately £3,988.
• The higher rate is £114.60 per week. Annually, this totals approximately £5,959.

Receiving Attendance Allowance often triggers increases in other benefits, such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction, amplifying its overall financial impact. Policy in Practice estimates show that despite these substantial sums, a significant number of eligible people are not claiming this support.

Who can claim Attendance Allowance in 2026/27?

Eligibility for Attendance Allowance depends on four core criteria. First, the claimant must be at or above State Pension age, which is currently 66 years old and is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. Second, they must have needed help with personal care or supervision for at least six months. This six-month rule is waived for individuals claiming under Special Rules for End of Life, specifically those who are terminally ill and reasonably expected to die within 12 months; these claims are fast-tracked.

Third, the claimant must be habitually resident in Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Fourth, the need for care must stem from a physical or mental disability or illness.

What conditions qualify for Attendance Allowance?

Qualifying conditions are broad and extend beyond visible physical impairments. Dementia, including cognitive decline, is a common qualifying condition. Mental health conditions such as severe depression or psychosis also qualify, as do sensory losses like blindness or profound deafness. Chronic conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, similarly meet the criteria if they create the necessary need for personal care or supervision.

Personal care includes assistance with daily activities such as dressing, washing, using the toilet, getting in and out of bed, eating meals, and taking medication. Supervision to ensure safety, particularly for those at risk of falls or wandering, also falls under this definition.

What is the difference between the lower and higher rates of Attendance Allowance?

The rate of Attendance Allowance received depends on the level and duration of care required, with a specific provision for terminal illness.

• Lower Rate: This rate of £76.70 per week applies to individuals who need help with personal care or supervision during the day OR during the night. The need for care does not have to be continuous, but must be regular.
• Higher Rate: This rate of £114.60 per week is awarded to those who require help with personal care or supervision during the day AND during the night. Alternatively, individuals who are terminally ill, defined as having a progressive disease with a reasonable expectation of death within 12 months, automatically qualify for the higher rate regardless of their day and night care needs. Claims for terminally ill individuals are fast-tracked under Special Rules for End of Life.

Why are 1.1 million eligible households missing out on £5.2 billion annually?

Despite the substantial financial support Attendance Allowance offers, Policy in Practice estimates that more than 1.1 million pension-age UK households are eligible for the benefit but do not claim it. This leads to approximately £5.2 billion in entitlement going unclaimed each year. Three factors account for the shortfall:

• Stigma: Many older people do not identify as 'disabled' and therefore do not consider the benefit relevant to their circumstances. They may perceive 'disability' in a way that excludes age-related conditions or cognitive impairments.
• Perceived Complexity: The claim form, AA1A, is often seen as lengthy and complex, comprising 29 pages. This complexity can deter potential claimants or their families from completing the application process.
• Misinformation about Means-Testing: A widespread but incorrect belief persists that savings or income above a certain threshold will disqualify a claim. This is false. Attendance Allowance is explicitly not means-tested; a claimant's income and savings do not affect their entitlement at all.

These barriers prevent hundreds of thousands from accessing the support designed to help them maintain independence and cover care-related costs. Approximately 1.9 million people across Great Britain already receive Attendance Allowance, highlighting its widespread utility.

How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?

Attendance Allowance does not reduce other benefits a claimant receives. Instead, an award of Attendance Allowance can act as a gateway to increased support from other DWP and local authority benefits. In most cases, it triggers increases in Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction in many local authorities.

For example, receipt of Attendance Allowance can lead to an approximate £84 per week extra in the Severe Disability Addition within Pension Credit for 2026/27. Additionally, if a relative or friend provides 35 hours per week of care, their receipt of Attendance Allowance by the cared-for person can entitle the carer to claim Carer's Allowance or the carer addition in Universal Credit. It unlocks further financial assistance across various support systems.

How do you apply for Attendance Allowance?

Applying for Attendance Allowance involves completing the official claim form, known as AA1A. This form is available for download directly from the official government website, gov.uk/attendance-allowance. Alternatively, a paper copy can be requested by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, a free call from UK landlines and mobiles.

Submitting the form accurately and promptly is important. Attendance Allowance is not backdated beyond the date the DWP receives the claim form. Missing this deadline means entitlement for prior months is not recovered, unlike some other DWP benefits.

What is the Scottish equivalent of Attendance Allowance?

In Scotland, Attendance Allowance has been replaced for new claimants by the Pension Age Disability Payment from 2024. This benefit is administered by Social Security Scotland and maintains the same weekly rates as Attendance Allowance in the rest of the UK. Existing Attendance Allowance claims in Scotland are being automatically transferred to the new system, ensuring continuity of support without requiring a new application.

What should you do next?

For individuals over State Pension age in Great Britain or Northern Ireland who require help with personal care or supervision due to a disability or illness, checking eligibility for Attendance Allowance is a critical step. With weekly rates of £76.70 or £114.60, equating to thousands of pounds annually, this non-means-tested, non-taxable benefit can significantly alleviate care-related costs. Reviewing the criteria and completing the AA1A form, or contacting the DWP helpline, could unlock essential financial support.