Does Having Savings Affect Attendance Allowance?
No. Having savings does not prevent you from claiming Attendance Allowance.
No. Having savings does not prevent you from claiming Attendance Allowance.
There is no savings limit for Attendance Allowance.
Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, which means the amount of money you have in savings does not determine whether you qualify or how much Attendance Allowance you receive.
Is there a maximum amount I can have in savings?
No.
There is no £6,000, £10,000 or £16,000 savings limit for Attendance Allowance.
You could potentially qualify whether you have:
- very little in savings
- substantial savings
- investments
- money in the bank
- other assets
The eligibility decision is based on your health condition or disability and the help or supervision you need.
What if I own my home?
Owning your home does not prevent you from claiming Attendance Allowance.
You could potentially qualify whether you:
- rent your home
- have a mortgage
- own your home outright
The value of your home is not used to decide whether you qualify for Attendance Allowance.
Does my pension or other income affect Attendance Allowance?
No.
Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so your income does not determine whether you qualify.
Receiving a State Pension or private or workplace pension does not, by itself, prevent you from claiming.
Why do people think savings matter?
Many benefits do take income or savings into account.
Attendance Allowance works differently.
For example, Pension Credit is means-tested and has rules concerning income and savings.
Attendance Allowance is a disability benefit based on the help or supervision you need.
It is therefore important not to apply the financial rules of one benefit to another.
What does Attendance Allowance look at instead?
The important questions concern how your health condition or disability affects you.
For example:
Do you need help with personal care?
Do you need somebody to supervise you for safety?
Do you need help during the day or night?
Have you normally needed this help for at least six months?
You do not need to have somebody actually providing the help.
Attendance Allowance considers the help or supervision you reasonably need.
What if I have savings but struggle with everyday activities?
Do not rule yourself out because of your financial position.
Someone who owns their home, receives a pension and has substantial savings can still potentially qualify for Attendance Allowance if they meet the eligibility rules.
Likewise, having very little money does not automatically mean somebody qualifies.
The decision is based on care and supervision needs rather than financial need.
Could getting Attendance Allowance help me qualify for anything else?
Potentially.
This is one reason Attendance Allowance can be worth checking even if you are financially comfortable enough not to have considered claiming benefits before.
Receiving Attendance Allowance can sometimes increase entitlement to other support, including:
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Reduction
The rules for these benefits are different because they can take your financial circumstances into account.
An Attendance Allowance award can therefore be a good reason to complete a new benefits check.
What if I have savings and think I won’t qualify for Pension Credit?
It can still be worth checking.
Pension Credit has different rules from Attendance Allowance, but having savings does not automatically prevent somebody from qualifying for Pension Credit either.
Your circumstances are considered under the Pension Credit rules.
Receiving Attendance Allowance can also be relevant when Pension Credit entitlement is calculated.
Rather than assuming you have too much money to qualify for anything, complete a benefits check using your actual circumstances.
Could somebody who cares for me qualify for support?
Possibly.
Receiving Attendance Allowance can sometimes be relevant to benefits available to somebody who provides substantial care for you.
However, carers’ benefits can interact with other benefits received within a household.
It can be sensible to check the overall position before somebody makes a new claim.
Should I claim Attendance Allowance if I have savings?
The amount of savings you have should not be the reason you decide against exploring Attendance Allowance.
Instead, ask:
Have I reached State Pension age?
Do I have a health condition or disability?
Do I need help with personal care or supervision for safety?
How long have I needed that help?
Those are much more relevant questions.
MH360 Entitled can also help people explore benefits and financial support they may be missing.
7.27: What Is Attendance Allowance?
7.28: Who Can Claim Attendance Allowance?
7.30: What Financial Help Might Be Available in Later Life?
7.9: What Benefits Might I Be Entitled To?
7.10: How Can I Check Whether I’m Missing Out on Benefits?
7.15: What Benefits and Financial Help Are Available for Carers?
Important information
This guide provides general information and is not intended to provide benefits, financial, legal or other professional advice. Attendance Allowance and other benefit rules 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.