Attendance Allowance 2026/27: Rates and Who Qualifies
Attendance Allowance pays £76.70 or £114.60 a week in 2026/27 to people over State Pension age who need help with care. It is not means-tested and not taxable - and it can unlock extra Pension Credit and Council Tax Reduction.
Attendance Allowance helps people over State Pension age who need care because of a disability or illness. Like Pension Credit, it is widely under-claimed - partly because people assume their savings rule them out. They do not: Attendance Allowance is not means-tested.
In 2026/27 it pays £76.70 or £114.60 a week, and getting it can unlock other help worth far more.
The two rates
| Rate | 2026/27 amount | For |
|---|---|---|
| Lower rate | £76.70 a week | Help or supervision by day or by night |
| Higher rate | £114.60 a week | Help by day and night, or if you are terminally ill |
If you are nearing the end of life, you can get Attendance Allowance more quickly and at the higher rate under special rules.
Who qualifies
You can claim Attendance Allowance if you:
- have reached State Pension age (currently 66);
- have a physical disability, mental disability or health condition that means you need help or supervision to stay safe; and
- have needed that help for at least 6 months (the 6-month rule is waived if you are terminally ill).
You do not need to actually be getting the help - what matters is that you need it. It also does not matter what the condition is; the test is about the help you need, not the diagnosis.
Not means-tested, not taxable
This is the point most people miss:
- Not means-tested - your income, savings and pension do not affect it;
- Not taxable - you keep the full amount;
- it does not reduce your other benefits, and can increase means-tested ones.
It also does not cover mobility needs - there is no mobility component (unlike PIP or DLA).
Why it is worth claiming
Beyond the weekly payment, an Attendance Allowance award can unlock or increase other help:
- extra Pension Credit;
- Housing Benefit if you rent;
- Council Tax Reduction.
Someone who looks after you may also be able to claim Carer's Allowance once you are getting Attendance Allowance, so it is worth looking at the household position together.
How to claim
You claim on the Attendance Allowance form (by post, or start online). It helps to describe a typical day and the help you need with things like washing, dressing, eating, taking medication and staying safe. A claim can take a while to assess, so claim as soon as you qualify.
In Scotland, Attendance Allowance is being replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment; Northern Ireland runs its own Attendance Allowance with the same rates.
Related guides
Attendance Allowance is one part of the retirement-income and benefits system. See the Pension Credit guide for the income top-up it can unlock, and the Carer's Allowance guide if someone cares for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Attendance Allowance in 2026/27?
There are two rates: the lower rate is £76.70 a week and the higher rate is £114.60 a week. You get the lower rate if you need frequent help or supervision during the day or at night, and the higher rate if you need help both day and night, or if you are terminally ill.
Is Attendance Allowance means-tested or taxable?
No to both. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so your income and savings do not affect whether you get it or how much. It is also not taxable. It does not reduce your other benefits either - in fact it can increase means-tested ones such as Pension Credit.
Who is eligible for Attendance Allowance?
You must have reached State Pension age and have a physical or mental disability or health condition that means you need help or supervision to stay safe. You normally need to have needed that help for at least 6 months, though there are faster rules if you are nearing the end of life.
What is the difference between Attendance Allowance and PIP?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is for people under State Pension age and includes a mobility component; Attendance Allowance is for people over State Pension age and covers care needs only, with no mobility component. If you already get PIP or DLA when you reach State Pension age, you usually keep it rather than switching to Attendance Allowance.