Page created: 3rd June 2021

Attendance Allowance (AA)

Attendance Allowance (AA) is UK welfare disability benefit designed to help those who have reached state pension age, who need attention or supervision with their personal care throughout the day, and or, night.

On these pages you will find information on the following:

• Applications
• How to Claim

Attendance Allowance is non-means tested, so it will be paid to you regardless of your (or your partners) income, savings, capital, or National Insurance contribution record.

Initial Eligibility

To be eligible for Attendance Allowance you will need to show:

• You have reached state pension age.
• You have a physical or mental disability – this can include sensory issues, blindness or learning difficulties etc.
• Your disability is severe enough to warrant attention or supervision for your care or safety.
• Your conditions have been present for the last six months at the time of making an application – unless you are terminally ill, then ‘special rules’ will apply.

If you have reached your State Pension Age and you already have an existing claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you cannot make a new claim for Attendance Allowance.

Important Information

Unlike Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance does not have a mobility component. Attendance Allowance will only look at the level of care you need during the day, and or, night.

Attendance Allowance is awarded based on whether you meet a daytime or a night-time condition.

Daytime conditions

A claimant must show that they are so severely disabled, physically, or mentally, that they need either:

• frequent attention throughout the day in connection with their bodily functions; or
• continual supervision throughout the day to avoid danger to themselves or others.

Night-time Conditions

A claimant must show that they are so severely disabled, physically, or mentally, that they need either:

• prolonged or repeated attention throughout the night-time in connection with their bodily functions; or
• another person to be awake during the night-time for prolonged periods or at frequent intervals to watch over them to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others.

Rates

There are two rates at which Attendance Allowance can be paid:

• Low rate – £60 per week.

Where a claimant satisfies a daytime or a night-time condition. A claimant can also receive low rate if they are on kidney dialysis.

• High rate – £89.60 per week.

Where a claimant satisfies a daytime and a night-time condition. A claimant can also receive high rate if they are terminally ill.