Who is eligible for Attendance Allowance?

Available in: England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Open to individuals — not restricted to businesses. Relevant age groups: 65+.

What is the deadline for Attendance Allowance?

This is a rolling scheme with no fixed deadline.

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GrantEngland Wales Northern Ireland

Attendance Allowance

Department for Work and Pensions (Department for Communities in Northern Ireland)

Description

Tax-free weekly benefit for people who have reached State Pension age and need help with personal care or supervision because of a physical or mental disability or illness, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Amount

£76.70/week (lower rate — help needed by day OR night) or £114.60/week (higher rate — help needed by day AND night, or terminally ill) — 2026/27 rates, verified against the official DWP benefit and pension rates table

Deadline

Rolling / no fixed deadline

Eligibility summary

Available in: England, Wales, Northern Ireland.
Open to individuals — not restricted to businesses.
Relevant age groups: 65+.

Notes: Not means-tested and not affected by savings; doesn't reduce other benefits and can actually unlock other means-tested entitlements (e.g. Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction) as a 'passport' benefit. Scotland replaced Attendance Allowance with Pension Age Disability Payment (rollout completed in 2025) — see the separate entry; do not surface this DWP scheme to Scottish residents.
Requirement: Reached State Pension age, and need help with personal care or supervision because of a disability or illness — you can qualify based on needing help, whether or not you actually have someone providing it. Terminally ill claimants use a faster 'Special Rules' process.

Want help with this application?

This one is usually simple enough to do yourself using the free official link below — but if you'd rather have help, we're building relationships with vetted professionals and can let you know if that becomes available.

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You can also do this yourself for free via the official source

How to apply

Request a paper claim form (AA1) by phone or download it from gov.uk, or start a claim online; terminally ill claimants can use the faster Special Rules route with less evidence required.

View official source

Last verified: 1 August 2026. See the footer disclaimer — this is general information, not financial or tax advice.