Website of the UK government

The information in this section is a guide only. The office dealing with your claim can answer any questions you may have about claiming and receiving Attendance Allowance.

Who can get Attendance Allowance?

You may get Attendance Allowance if:

If you are under age 65, you may be able to get Disability Living Allowance.

Attendance Allowance is not usually affected by any savings or income you may have.

Special Rules - if you are terminally ill

If you have a progressive disease and you are not expected to live for more than another six months there are special rules for claiming to make sure you get your benefit more quickly and easily.

• Attendance Allowance - eligibility

Medical examinations

You will not usually need a medical examination when you claim for Attendance Allowance.  If you are asked to have one you can find out more from the link below.

• Attendance Allowance - medical examination

How much do you get?

The amount you get depends on how much your disability affects you. There are two rates of Attendance Allowance. 

How to claim

Claim straight away - if you delay you may lose benefit.

You can get a claim pack by:

• Attendance Allowance - rates and how to claim

How it's paid

Attendance Allowance is normally paid directly into any account of your choice which accepts Direct Payment of benefits. This might be a bank, building society or other account provider. 

You may be able to get someone else to collect your Attendance Allowance if you wish. For help with this please contact your bank, building society or other account provider.

If you would like more information about how you can be paid by other means please contact the office dealing with your claim - details are in the 'Rates and how to claim' section.

Effect on other benefits and entitlements

If you start to get Attendance Allowance, it might increase the amount of other benefits or credits you're entitled to. You may get an extra amount for severe disability with Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Pension Credit.

Attendance Allowance is normally ignored as income for working out these income-related benefits and credit.

Your circumstances

Changes to your circumstances can affect the amount of Attendance Allowance you get or whether you get it.

To get Attendance Allowance you must also meet certain conditions about your residence and presence.

• Attendance Allowance - your circumstances

Attendance Allowance - British Sign Language and subtitled film

A short film about Attendance Allowance - which is presented in British Sign Language, narrated and also subtitled - can be downloaded from Directgov. The information is also available on DVD, which you can request to be sent to you.

• Disability benefits - British Sign Language and subtitled films