You can claim attendance allowance if you are disabled, are aged 65 or over and need help to look after yourself.

You do not actually have to be getting any help. It is the help you need that is important.

Who can get attendance allowance?

Attendance allowance

To get attendance allowance you must:

• be aged 65 or over when you claim;
• pass at least one of the disability tests;
• meet the qualifying period condition;
• pass the residence and presence tests; and
• not be subject to immigration control

Attendance allowance disability tests

Lower rate

For the lower rate of attendance allowance, you must meet one of the following conditions. You need:

during the day:

• frequent attention throughout the day in connection with your bodily functions; or
• continual supervision throughout the day to avoid substantial danger to you or others.

or during the night:

• prolonged or repeated attention in connection with your bodily functions; or
• another person to be awake for a prolonged period or at frequent intervals to watch over you to avoid substantial danger to you or others.

Higher rate

For the higher rate of attendance allowance, you must meet either of the following. You:have one of the day needs and one of the night needs conditions shown above; or are terminally ill.

Attendance allowance qualifying period condition

• You will need to have met the disability tests for six months before you can be paid. This rule does not apply if you are terminally ill.
• If you already have lower rate attendance allowance, you can qualify for the higher rate after you have needed the greater level of attention or supervision for six months.

How much is attendance allowance?

• Attendance allowance
• weekly lower rate – £57.30 (£58.70 from April 2019)
  weekly higher rate – £85.60 (£87.65 from April 2019)
• Attendance allowance is tax free and not means tested.
• Any savings you have do not affect your attendance allowance

Attendance allowance in hospital

• Both the day you are admitted and the day you are discharged count as days out of hospital.
• Attendance allowance stops after a total of four weeks (either in one stay, or several stays, where the gaps between stays are no more than four weeks each time).
• If you claim attendance allowance when you are already in hospital, it cannot be paid until you leave.

How to claim

Attendance Allowance helpline

Telephone: 0800 731 0122
Textphone: 0800 731 0317
NGT text relay (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 731 0122
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm