Attendance Allowance is one of the most underclaimed benefits in the UK. It is not means-tested, it does not affect the State Pension, and it is available to people living in care homes provided they are funding their own care. For many of the families we speak to at Abafields, it is money they did not know they were entitled to.
This guide explains how it works, how much it pays, whether it applies in a care home setting, and how to put together a strong claim.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance (AA) is a weekly benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions to people over State Pension age (currently 66) who have a disability or long-term health condition that means they need help with personal care or supervision to stay safe.
It is not based on income or savings. How much you have in the bank does not affect eligibility. The only things that matter are your age, your care needs, and where you live.
It is paid at two rates depending on how much support is needed:
The higher rate is automatically awarded under the Special Rules for End of Life, which applies to people not expected to live beyond 12 months. This allows a fast-track claim without waiting for the standard assessment.
Rates are set to increase from April 2026 to £76.70 (lower) and £114.60 (higher) per week, subject to final confirmation.
Who can claim?
To be eligible for Attendance Allowance you must:
- Be 66 or over
- Have a physical or mental disability or long-term health condition
- Have needed care or supervision as a result of that condition for at least six months (this waiting period does not apply for terminal illness)
- Live in England or Wales (Scotland has its own equivalent, Pension Age Disability Payment, administered by Social Security Scotland at the same rates)
There is no fixed list of qualifying conditions. The DWP looks at how your condition affects your daily life, not what it is called. Dementia, arthritis, Parkinson's disease, heart failure, COPD, stroke-related disability, and serious mental health conditions all commonly lead to successful claims.
"Many of the families we speak to at Abafields have never heard of Attendance Allowance, or they assumed it was only for people living at home. We always encourage families to look into it because it can make a real difference to someone's financial picture, and the claim process, while it takes some time to complete carefully, is straightforward."
Victor Phiri, Home Manager, Abafields
Can you claim Attendance Allowance in a care home?
Yes, with one important condition. You can receive Attendance Allowance in a care home if you are paying for your own care in full. This means self-funding residents at Abafields are eligible to claim.
If the local authority or NHS is funding your care, or contributing toward it, Attendance Allowance is usually suspended. This is because the state is already meeting your care needs.
If you move from self-funding to local authority funding during your stay, Attendance Allowance stops. You must notify the DWP when your funding situation changes.
We cover self-funding and your broader options in detail in our care funding guide for Bolton residents.
What Attendance Allowance can unlock
Receiving Attendance Allowance can trigger eligibility for other benefits that families are often not getting. This is a frequently missed part of the picture.
Pension Credit. If someone is not currently receiving Pension Credit, being awarded Attendance Allowance can push them over the eligibility threshold. Pension Credit tops up weekly income and unlocks access to other support including free TV licences for over-75s, help with dental treatment, and Cold Weather Payments.
Council Tax Reduction. Some local authorities offer a discount or exemption to people receiving Attendance Allowance. Bolton residents can check eligibility through Bolton Council's benefits support pages.
Carer's Allowance. If a family member spends 35 or more hours a week caring for someone who receives Attendance Allowance at either rate, they may be entitled to Carer's Allowance, currently £83.30 per week in 2025/26. Note that Carer's Allowance stops 28 days after a person moves into a care home if they stop receiving Attendance Allowance at that point.
How to make a claim
Claims are made through the DWP using form AA1. You can:
- Download the form from GOV.UK
- Request a form by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 (free to call, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
The form asks detailed questions about how a condition affects daily life. It takes time to complete properly, and that time is worth spending. The most common reason claims fail or receive a lower rate than expected is because the form undersells the actual level of need.
A few things that make a real difference to a successful claim:
- Describe care needs on a bad day, not a typical or good day
- Be specific about what help is needed and how often
- Include night-time needs, not just daytime support
- Include supervision needs, not just physical help
- Ask the GP or any specialist involved in care to provide supporting evidence
"When families help their relatives complete the form, they sometimes soften what they write because they do not want to make things sound worse than they are. But the form has to reflect the real picture, including the difficult days, otherwise the benefit does not reflect what the person actually needs. Our team is always happy to point families toward the right support to help with this."
Victor Phiri, Home Manager, Abafields
Free help with the application is available from:
- Age UK Bolton — benefits advice appointments
- Citizens Advice Bolton — help completing the form
- Bolton Dementia Support — specialist support for families dealing with a dementia diagnosis
How long does a decision take?
The DWP aims to make a decision within 40 working days of receiving a completed claim. If the claim is successful, it is usually backdated to the date the form was received, not the date of the decision letter.
If a claim is refused or awarded at a lower rate than expected, you have the right to request a mandatory reconsideration and then to appeal. Many initial decisions are overturned at appeal. Age UK and Citizens Advice can both help with this process.
Does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
Attendance Allowance does not count as income for means-tested benefits. It does not reduce the State Pension. It is not affected by savings or property. In most cases, receiving it cannot make you worse off for other benefits, and in many cases it actively improves your position.
Speak to us about care at Abafields
We are here to help families understand what financial support is available and what next steps look like. For a full picture of funding options available to Bolton residents, read our care funding guide.
To talk through your options or find out more about life at Abafields, get in touch with our team or call 01204 399414.
Victor Phiri
Home Manager
