Attendance Allowance (AA)

A benefit for people of State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of a disability or health condition. It is not means-tested.

How much you could get

Attendance Allowance has a lower weekly rate and a higher weekly rate. It is not means-tested and does not include a mobility payment.

Figures below are for the 2026/27 tax year.

• Lower rate: £76.70 a week
• Higher rate: £114.60 a week

Check the current amount on the official page.

Who can claim

You usually need to have reached State Pension age, have a disability or health condition that means you need help or supervision, and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Scotland has Pension Age Disability Payment.

Eligibility conditions

These are the structured conditions Benefit Badger uses in the eligibility check. They are a guide, not a decision.

• You live in the UK.
• You live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
• You have reached State Pension age.
• You have a disability or long-term health condition that affects daily living.

Check if Attendance Allowance may apply to you

It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.

When it may not apply

You cannot usually start a new Attendance Allowance claim if you are under State Pension age. People in Scotland should look at Pension Age Disability Payment.

Where you live

Attendance Allowance applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you live in Scotland, see Pension Age Disability Payment.

Browse benefits in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or the A–Z list.

Does Attendance Allowance affect Pension Credit or Universal Credit?

Attendance Allowance is not counted as income for Pension Credit or Universal Credit in the way the extra-cost disability benefits usually are. It can still increase the amount of Pension Credit through extra amounts for severe disability, depending on who lives with you and whether anyone gets a carer payment. That is why it is worth reporting it even though it is not means-tested.

Attendance Allowance does not include a mobility component. A Blue Badge is a separate council scheme.

How to claim

1. Get the Attendance Allowance claim form from GOV.UK. New claims for people of State Pension age in England, Wales and Northern Ireland use the AA1 form, or the route shown on GOV.UK. Scotland has Pension Age Disability Payment instead. Official page
2. Describe the help you need during the day or night. Attendance Allowance is about care and supervision needs, not a diagnosis list and not mobility on its own. The form asks what help you need, even if nobody currently provides it.
3. Post the form to the address on the official page. GOV.UK gives the current postal address. Do not send the form to Benefit Badger or to a paid claims service.
4. Use the official helpline only from GOV.UK. If you need the form in another format, the contact details on the government page are the ones to use. We do not publish phone numbers of our own.

Official sources

• Attendance Allowance — GOV.UK (primary source)

Related benefits

• Adult Disability Payment
• Blue Badge
• Child Disability Payment
• Disability Living Allowance for children
• New Style Employment and Support Allowance

See all disability and health benefits.

What else you might claim

• What else can I claim over State Pension age?
• What else can I claim if I have a disability?

Source: Department for Work and Pensions. This page is guidance from an independent service, not a government decision. Only the relevant government department can confirm eligibility and make a payment.

Check if this may apply to you

It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.