Attendance Allowance checker
A short guide to which rate of Attendance Allowance could apply, based on your age and the help you need. It is not means tested and does not affect your State Pension.
How the rates work
Attendance Allowance has just two rates and no complicated points system. Which one applies depends on when you need help. If you need help or supervision during the day only, or during the night only, that points to the lower rate. If you need it across both day and night, or you are terminally ill, that points to the higher rate.
The key idea is reasonable need, not current care. You can qualify even if nobody is helping you yet, as long as you can show the help would be reasonable. Because the benefit is not means tested, income and savings make no difference. Claiming it can also lift other benefits, so a successful claim is often worth more than the weekly rate alone.
Worked example
Someone over State Pension age who needs help getting washed and dressed in the morning and also needs someone to check on them at night would point to the higher rate, £114.60 a week, about £5,959 a year. If the help were only needed in the daytime, it would point to the lower rate of £76.70 a week instead.
Common questions
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance helps with the extra costs of a long-term illness or disability if you are over State Pension age and need help with personal care or supervision to stay safe. It is paid at two flat weekly rates for 2026/27: £76.70 lower and £114.60 higher. It is not means tested and is tax free.
What is the difference between the two rates?
The lower rate is for help or supervision needed during the day only, or during the night only. The higher rate is for help needed both day and night, or if you are terminally ill. You do not need to be getting the help now, only to be able to show you need it.
Does my income or savings affect it?
No. Attendance Allowance is not affected by your income, savings or National Insurance record. It does not reduce your State Pension. In fact claiming it can increase other means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction, so it is worth claiming even if your finances are comfortable.
Do I have to have a diagnosis or a carer?
No. You do not need a formal diagnosis, and you do not need to have someone already caring for you. The test is about the help you reasonably need with things like washing, dressing, eating, taking medication or staying safe, not about whether that help is currently provided.
What about people under State Pension age?
Attendance Allowance is only for people over State Pension age. If you are under that age you would look at Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead, which covers similar needs but is scored on a points system and includes a mobility part.