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Attendance Allowance

Extra money for people over State Pension age who need help or supervision because of an illness or disability. In Scotland it's called Pension Age Disability Payment. It isn't means-tested, and you don't need to have a carer.

£76.70a week, lower rate

£114.60a week, higher rate

£5,959a year at the higher rate

Notaffected by income or savings

Who can get it

You've reached State Pension age.
You need help with personal care (washing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, taking medicines) or someone to keep an eye on you to keep you safe, and have needed it for at least 6 months.
It's about the help you need, even if nobody gives it to you at the moment.

If you already got PIP or DLA before State Pension age, you usually stay on that instead.

Rates for 2026-27

Rate	Per week
Lower: frequent help or constant supervision in the day, or supervision at night	£76.70
Higher: help or supervision day and night, or nearing the end of life	£114.60

Why it's worth claiming

If you live alone and get Pension Credit, it adds £86.05 a week (the severe disability amount).
It can bring you into Pension Credit or Housing Benefit for the first time.
Someone who cares for you 35 hours a week can claim Carer's Allowance.

See what you could get

Answer a few plain questions and get a list of the benefits and help you're likely to get, with amounts and links to apply.

Check what I can get

How to claim

England and Wales: claim on GOV.UK (online or with the paper form; helpline 0800 731 0122).
Scotland: apply for Pension Age Disability Payment on mygov.scot.
Northern Ireland: claim on nidirect.

On the form, describe a typical day and night, how long things take, any falls or near misses, and the help you'd need to do things safely. A short letter from a GP, nurse or family member helps.

Sources

Every figure on this page is copied from these official pages, for April 2026 to March 2027 (checked 3 November 2026):

This is a guide, not advice. The office that runs each benefit decides who gets it. Rules can change.