Who Can Claim Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is designed for people who have reached State Pension age and need help or supervision because of a health condition or disability.

You do not need to have a professional carer.

You do not even need to have somebody currently providing the help you need.

The important question is whether your health condition or disability means you reasonably need personal help or supervision.

What are the basic eligibility rules?

You may be able to claim Attendance Allowance if:

you have reached State Pension age
you have a physical or mental disability or health condition
you need help caring for yourself or supervision to keep you or somebody else safe
you have normally needed that help or supervision for at least six months

There are also residence and immigration requirements.

Different rules apply if you are nearing the end of life.

What kinds of health conditions can qualify?

Attendance Allowance is not restricted to a particular list of illnesses.

Physical, sensory, mental health and cognitive conditions can potentially be relevant.

For example, somebody might need help or supervision because of difficulties associated with:

arthritis
Parkinson’s disease
dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
sight or hearing loss
heart or respiratory conditions
neurological conditions
mental health conditions
the effects of a stroke
multiple health conditions

Having one of these conditions does not automatically mean you qualify.

The important issue is the help or supervision you need because of how you are affected.

Do I need a formal diagnosis?

Attendance Allowance is not simply awarded because somebody has been given a particular diagnosis.

The claim looks at the practical help or supervision you need.

If you are experiencing increasing difficulties but are unsure whether they are significant enough, think about what actually happens during your day and night.

The effect of your condition is more important than simply listing medical conditions.

What counts as needing help?

Think about personal activities that have become difficult.

You might need help with things such as:

getting washed or bathed
dressing and undressing
eating and drinking
using the toilet
getting into or out of bed
managing medication or treatment
communicating your needs

The type and frequency of the help you need can affect whether you qualify and which rate may apply.

What does needing supervision mean?

Somebody may be physically capable of performing many everyday activities but still need another person nearby to keep them safe.

For example, a person might experience:

confusion
falls
seizures or blackouts
difficulties recognising danger
problems remembering medication
behaviour that creates a safety risk

The question is whether supervision is reasonably needed because of the person’s condition.

This can be particularly important where somebody has dementia or another cognitive condition.

What if nobody actually helps me?

You can still potentially qualify.

Attendance Allowance considers the help you need, not only the help you receive.

For example, you might live alone and struggle without assistance.

Or your partner may routinely help you with dressing, medication or getting into bed without either of you thinking of this as “care”.

Ask yourself:

What would happen if that help wasn’t available?

That can sometimes make your support needs easier to recognise.

What if I still manage to do things myself?

Do not automatically assume that means you cannot qualify.

You may have adapted gradually as your health has changed.

Perhaps you:

take much longer
avoid certain activities
struggle through them
rely on furniture or equipment
change how you do things
wait until somebody is available
accept difficulties that you would previously have regarded as unusual

Think about the help or supervision you reasonably need, rather than only whether you eventually manage.

Can someone with dementia claim Attendance Allowance?

Potentially, yes.

Attendance Allowance is not restricted to physical care.

A person living with dementia may need significant prompting or supervision even if they remain physically mobile.

For example, they might need help or supervision with:

personal care
medication
eating
communicating their needs
remaining safe
managing difficulties during the night

The individual circumstances determine whether the eligibility rules are met.

Can someone with a mental health condition claim?

Potentially.

Mental health conditions can create personal support or supervision needs just as physical conditions can.

Again, the diagnosis itself does not establish entitlement.

Explain the actual help or supervision required because of the condition.

What if I only need help during the day?

You may still qualify.

Attendance Allowance has two rates, and the amount depends on the level of help or supervision you need.

You do not necessarily need help both during the day and at night to receive Attendance Allowance.

Similarly, somebody whose relevant needs arise at night may potentially qualify.

What if I need help during both the day and night?

This can be relevant to the higher rate of Attendance Allowance.

The higher rate can apply where the relevant help or supervision requirements are met throughout both the day and night.

Describe your night-time needs as carefully as your daytime needs.

People sometimes concentrate on what happens during the day and overlook regular support needed overnight.

Do I need to have needed help for six months?

Normally, yes.

Under the standard rules, you generally need to have required the relevant help or supervision for at least six months before Attendance Allowance becomes payable.

This does not necessarily mean waiting six months from the date you first hear about Attendance Allowance.

The question is how long you have already had the relevant needs.

Different rules apply to people nearing the end of life.

What if I’m nearing the end of life?

Special rules can apply if a medical professional says you might have 12 months or less to live.

Under these rules, Attendance Allowance can potentially be awarded more quickly and at the higher rate.

The usual six-month qualifying period does not apply in the same way.

A medical professional provides an SR1 form to support a claim under these rules.

What if I am under State Pension age?

Attendance Allowance is generally for people who have reached State Pension age.

If you are younger, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may instead be relevant, depending on your circumstances.

Different rules apply to the two benefits.

Do not assume that because Attendance Allowance is not the right benefit, there is no disability-related support available.

What if I already receive PIP?

If you already receive PIP, reaching State Pension age does not normally mean you simply stop receiving it and make a new Attendance Allowance claim.

There are specific rules about disability benefits around State Pension age.

If you already receive PIP, DLA or another disability benefit, check your individual position before trying to make a new Attendance Allowance claim.

What if I live in Scotland?

For new claims in Scotland, the relevant benefit is normally Pension Age Disability Payment rather than Attendance Allowance.

Existing Scottish Attendance Allowance claimants have been moving to the Scottish system.

If you live in Scotland, check the current Social Security Scotland arrangements.

What if I live in a care home?

You can potentially meet the underlying Attendance Allowance eligibility rules while living in a care home, but whether Attendance Allowance is actually payable can depend on how your care is funded.

You cannot usually receive Attendance Allowance if your care-home costs are being paid by your local authority.

If you pay the full cost of the care home yourself, Attendance Allowance can still potentially be paid.

This distinction can be important for self-funders.

What if I’m in hospital?

Going into hospital can affect payment of Attendance Allowance.

If you already receive Attendance Allowance and go into hospital, report the change.

Do not assume that your underlying care needs have disappeared simply because payment rules change while your care is being publicly funded.

Do savings affect whether I qualify?

No.

Attendance Allowance is not means-tested.

There is no Attendance Allowance savings limit.

Your earnings and savings do not determine whether you qualify.

There is a separate MH360 guide dealing specifically with this question.

What should I ask myself before claiming?

Try these questions:

Do I need help with personal care?

Does somebody regularly help me without us thinking of it as care?

Would I be safer if somebody supervised me?

Do I need help during the night?

Have I stopped doing things because they have become too difficult?

Do I struggle through things because I don’t want to ask for help?

How long have these difficulties been happening?

Write down a few examples.

This can help you recognise support needs that have gradually become part of everyday life.

Should I complete a wider benefits check?

Yes.

If you qualify for Attendance Allowance, it may also affect your entitlement to other support.

Depending on your circumstances, it can sometimes increase entitlement to benefits such as:

Pension Credit
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Reduction

It may also be relevant to somebody who provides substantial care for you.

A full benefits check can therefore be worthwhile following an Attendance Allowance award.

MH360 Entitled can help people explore benefits and financial support they may be missing.

7.27: What Is Attendance Allowance?

7.29: Does Having Savings Affect Attendance Allowance?

7.30: What Financial Help Might Be Available in Later Life?

7.14: What Financial Support Is Available if I Have a Disability or Long-Term Health Condition?

7.15: What Benefits and Financial Help Are Available for Carers?

7.18: What Is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

13.3: Caring for Someone With Dementia, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s

13.16: Who Pays for Care at Home or in a Care Home?

15.8: Asking for Help Without Feeling You’ve Lost Your Independence

Important information

This guide provides general information and is not intended to provide benefits, financial, care, legal, medical or other professional advice. Attendance Allowance rules and eligibility criteria can change, and individual circumstances can be different. Check current information from official sources or seek advice from an appropriately qualified benefits adviser before making important decisions.