Attendance Allowance (A.A)

Attendance Allowance is a Tax-free non-means tested Social Security allowance. Paid to people over sixty five when first claimed, to help with the cost of their care or supervision needs, which should have existed for six months before claiming unless terminally ill. If your care or supervision needs start before age sixty-five the almost equivalent benefit is Disability Living Allowance.

If you are over sixty-five with daily or nightly care or supervision needs then you can claim Attendance Allowance.

It is paid at two levels:

Low rate £44.85 weekly or £179.40 four weekly

High rate £67 weekly or £268 four weekly

Any level of Attendance Allowance can increase your entitlement to Pension Credit, Housing and Council Tax Benefits, and health benefits, etc.

Important note:

This benefit is paid for your care or supervision needs. You can get the benefit even if you live alone with no help. As long as any help or supervision is reasonably required you could still qualify for Attendance Allowance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I have just been awarded high rate A.A £67 weekly. I am afraid to tell the benefits agency as I feel they will cut my Pension Credit, which is only £124.05 weekly. I live alone. What do you think?

A. Let your local Pension Centre know. If you live alone and no one has Carers Allowance for looking after you your Pension Credit will also increase from £124.05 weekly to £174.40 weekly. Ask them to fully backdate this amount to when your award of A.A started.

---

Q. My doctor has told me this week that my condition is terminal. Can I claim this benefit, or will I have to wait six months?

A. Claim now. If you are classed as terminally ill you are not required to wait the normal six months before claiming. You should get high rate Attendance Allowance due to being terminally ill. Have a full benefit check done now.

---

Q. I already have the high rate Mobility Component (£46.75 wkly); I am now aged sixty-nine. I now need help with my care; does this mean I have to claim Attendance Allowance?

A. No. If you have D.L.A before age sixty-five it continues as long as you continue to meet the qualifying conditions. You should contact the D.L.A unit in Blackpool and explain how your care needs have increased, and that you now feel you could possibly qualify for the care component, your new care / supervision needs should have existed for six months instead of three for under 65's and you can only add the middle or high care.

---

Q. I have Pension Credit and live with my two son’s aged 26 and 34 they both work full time. I pay Full Rent and Council Tax due to having these Non-Dependants living with me. I have been awarded high rate Attendance Allowance (£67 wkly) will this effect my Rent and Council Tax?

A. Yes. It will, you should let the local Council know that you now have Attendance Allowance and when it was awarded to you. This should mean that you no longer have any rent to pay. Any level of Attendance Allowance now means that there will no longer be any reduction from your Housing and Council Tax benefit entitlement for any Non-Dependants. You should have a full benefit check done.

---

Q. I have Attendance Allowance, can my wife also claim it?

A. If she meets the qualifying conditions then yes she can and should claim. Have a benefit check done if she is also awarded A.A.