What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people over State Pension age (currently 66 or over) who need help with personal care because of a physical or mental condition. It is not means-tested, which means your income, savings, investments, and property have no effect on eligibility. You can receive it whether you own your home or rent, and whether you have £100 or £100,000 in savings. There are two rates: a lower rate of up to £73.90 per week (approximately £3,840 per year) if you need help during the day or night, and a higher rate of up to £110.40 per week (approximately £5,740 per year) if you need help both during the day and at night. The higher rate applies if you need help or supervision throughout a 24-hour period. Attendance Allowance is one of the most commonly unclaimed benefits in the UK. An estimated one million eligible people do not claim it — often because they assume their condition is not "severe enough" or believe their savings disqualify them. In reality, many people with common age-related conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, or dementia qualify for Attendance Allowance.
Who may be eligible?
You may be eligible if you are 66 or over and have a physical or mental condition that has affected you for at least 6 months. The condition needs to mean you require help with personal care activities such as washing, dressing, eating, getting in and out of bed, using the toilet, or moving around your home safely. You may also qualify if you need someone to supervise you to keep you safe — for example, to prevent falls or to help during episodes of confusion. You do not need to have a carer to claim Attendance Allowance. The benefit is based on the help you need, not whether you currently receive it. Many successful claimants live alone and manage with difficulty, pain, or risk. If you struggle with everyday tasks but manage to do them slowly, painfully, or unsafely, you may still be eligible. Common conditions that may qualify include arthritis, dementia, Parkinson's disease, heart failure, COPD, diabetes complications (such as neuropathy or vision loss), stroke recovery, mobility difficulties, incontinence, depression, and anxiety. You can claim for multiple conditions — the DWP looks at the combined effect on your daily life.
Step 1: Get the AA1 claim form
You can request the AA1 form by calling 0800 731 0122 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). You can also download it from the GOV.UK website. The phone call is important because your claim date is usually set as the date you first contact the DWP — this means any payment is backdated to that date. If you need help filling in the form, a family member, friend, or adviser can assist you. Citizens Advice, Age UK, and local welfare rights services offer free help with Attendance Allowance forms. Many people find it helpful to have someone who knows their daily routine help with the application, as they can remind you of difficulties you might overlook. The form asks about your conditions, the medications you take, the help you need with daily activities, and the contact details of medical professionals who treat you. It is a substantial form — typically 28 pages — but you do not need to complete it all at once.
Step 2: Describe your care needs
This is the most important part of the form and where many claims are decided. Describe how your conditions affect you on your worst days — this is standard DWP guidance and is the correct approach. Everyone has good days and bad days, and the DWP needs to understand the full picture. Include specific details: how often you need help (for example, "approximately 3–4 times per day"), how long it takes (for example, "around 20–30 minutes each time"), and what would happen without help (for example, "I would be at risk of falling" or "food would burn" or "I would not be able to get out of bed"). Cover both daytime and night-time needs if applicable. Avoid minimising your difficulties. Many people instinctively say "I manage" or "I cope" when in reality they struggle, experience pain, or take significantly longer than someone without their condition. If a task takes you much longer, causes pain, requires you to rest afterwards, or risks your safety, explain this clearly. Use phrases like "on bad days, approximately X days per week" to convey the frequency of your difficulties.
Step 3: Gather supporting evidence
While not mandatory, supporting evidence can significantly strengthen your application. The most valuable evidence comes from medical professionals who know you and can describe how your conditions affect your daily functioning. Consider asking your GP for a supporting letter describing how your conditions affect daily life. Hospital letters, consultant reports, physiotherapy assessments, and occupational therapy reports are all valuable. A list of all your current medications (including dosages and what each is for) helps the DWP understand the severity of your conditions. A care diary — recording the help you need over 1 to 2 weeks — provides concrete evidence. Note what help you received each day, who provided it, how long it took, and what difficulties you experienced. If family members or friends help you regularly, a short letter from them describing what they do and how often can also be powerful supporting evidence.
Step 4: Post the completed form
Send the completed form to: DWP Attendance Allowance, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 2AD. Keep a photocopy or photograph of everything you send — the form, any supporting letters, and any additional evidence. This protects you if anything is lost in the post and is also useful if you later need to request a reconsideration. Your claim date is usually the date you first called to request the form, not the date you post it. This means there is no need to rush — take the time to complete the form thoroughly. However, do not delay unnecessarily as the DWP expects you to return the form within a reasonable timeframe (usually 6 weeks). Consider sending the form by recorded delivery or another tracked service. This gives you proof that it was received. Some people prefer to hand-deliver to a local Jobcentre Plus, though posting directly to the processing centre in Wolverhampton is the standard route.
What happens next?
The DWP will review your form and may contact your GP or other medical professionals for additional information. They may request medical reports or records. Most Attendance Allowance claims do not require a face-to-face assessment — the decision is usually made based on the information in your form and any medical evidence obtained. A decision is typically made within 8 to 12 weeks. You will receive a decision letter explaining whether your claim has been successful and, if so, which rate you have been awarded. If successful, payments are usually backdated to the date of your initial claim (when you first called to request the form). Payments are made every 4 weeks directly into your bank account. Once awarded, Attendance Allowance is usually paid indefinitely, though some awards are made for a fixed period if the DWP expects your condition to improve. You are expected to report any significant changes in your care needs.
If your claim is not successful
If your application is not successful, do not give up. You can request a Mandatory Reconsideration within 1 month of the decision date. Write to the address on your decision letter explaining clearly why you believe the decision does not reflect your situation. Reference specific areas of the form where you feel your needs were not properly considered. Include any new evidence you have gathered since submitting your claim. Around 25% of Mandatory Reconsiderations result in a changed decision. If the reconsideration does not change the outcome, you can appeal to an independent tribunal within 1 month. Tribunal panels include a doctor and a disability expert who make their own independent assessment. Around 60% of tribunal appeals for Attendance Allowance are successful. Free advice and representation is available from Citizens Advice, Age UK, local welfare rights services, and many disability charities. These organisations can help you understand the decision, gather evidence, and prepare for a tribunal hearing if needed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim Attendance Allowance if I live alone?
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Important: Benefits Robin is not affiliated with the DWP or UK Government. We provide information and assistance, not legal or financial advice. These are estimates based on your answers. Final decisions are made by the DWP.