Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Runs Universal Credit, State Pension, disability benefits and Jobcentre Plus, and issues National Insurance numbers.
Home » Benefits and pensions » Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance
Extra money for people over State Pension age whose disability or health condition means they need help with personal care or supervision. It is not means-tested. In Scotland, apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead.
Official links
Show links for:
| Official source | Applies to |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance | England, Wales |
| mygov.scot: Pension Age Disability Payment www.mygov.scot/pension-age-disability-payment | Scotland |
| nidirect: Attendance Allowance www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/attendance-allowance | Northern Ireland |
Who handles it
Social Security Scotland
Pays Scottish benefits such as Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment, Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grant.
Step by step
- Check you qualify: you have reached State Pension age and have needed help caring for yourself, or supervision, for at least 6 months.
- Apply online on GOV.UK, or print the claim form and post it to the freepost address.
- You should get a text or letter within 3 weeks saying when to expect a decision.
- In Scotland apply for Pension Age Disability Payment to Social Security Scotland. In Northern Ireland use nidirect.
- Tell the helpline straight away if your care needs change or you go into hospital or a care home.
What you need
- Your National Insurance number
- Your address and contact details
- Details of your disability or health condition
- Details of your GP surgery or medical centre
- Details of your care home, hospital or hospice, if you are staying in one
Common mistakes
- Not applying because you have savings or income: they do not affect Attendance Allowance.
- Thinking you need a carer to claim: you do not.
- Forgetting it can also mean extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.