Attendance Allowance 2026-27: If you have seen “£5,959 Attendance Allowance could boost your pension” online, the figure is real but needs explaining. It is the yearly value of the higher rate of Attendance Allowance (AA), a benefit for older people with care needs. It does not top up your State Pension, but it can sit alongside it and may open the door to other support.
What Is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free, non-means-tested weekly benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of a physical or mental health condition. It does not matter what savings or pension you have. It is also separate from mobility help: it covers personal care only, with no mobility component.
Attendance Allowance Rates for 2026/27
From April 2026 it pays £76.70 a week at the lower rate and £114.60 a week at the higher rate, up from £73.90 and £110.40. The new rates apply from April 2026 and are normally reviewed each April.
| Rate | Weekly | Every 4 weeks | Annual (52 weeks) |
| Lower | £76.70 | £306.80 | £3,988.40 |
| Higher | £114.60 | £458.40 | £5,959.20 |
What changed from 2025/26?
| Rate | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | Weekly rise | Extra per year |
| Lower | £73.90 | £76.70 | +£2.80 | +£145.60 |
| Higher | £110.40 | £114.60 | +£4.20 | +£218.40 |
Both rates rose by 3.8% in line with CPI inflation. So the “boost” is the ordinary yearly uprating, plus the opportunity to claim if you have not already.
How is it paid?
The award is stated as a weekly amount but is usually paid every four weeks into a bank, building society or credit union account. That means £306.80 or £458.40 per payment, not a monthly sum.
Which Rate Could You Get?
The rate depends on when you need help.
- The lower rate is for people who need help or supervision during the day or during the night. The higher rate is for people who need help day and night, or who are terminally ill.
- Care needs can include washing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, taking medication, or being supervised for safety, for example because of dementia, falls risk or a mental health condition. It is the effect of your condition that matters, not the diagnosis itself.
- Be specific on the form about needs around the clock, because the higher rate is often under-claimed. Many people write about daytime struggles and forget to mention broken nights, such as getting up to use the toilet, confusion, or needing reassurance.
Who Can Claim?
You can get Attendance Allowance if you have reached State Pension age and meet the care-need conditions. You cannot get it if you receive DLA, PIP, Adult Disability Payment, Scottish Adult DLA or Armed Forces Independence Payment. If you already get PIP or DLA, those continue past pension age, so you would not switch to AA.
If you are close to State Pension age, compare Personal Independence Payment (PIP) before claiming Attendance Allowance. PIP can be higher and continues after pension age if you claim before it.
Key points
- Age: You must have reached State Pension age. This is rising from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028, so your exact date depends on your date of birth. Use the GOV.UK State Pension age checker to confirm yours.
- Length of need: You generally need to have had your care needs for at least six months, the “qualifying period”. Special rules apply if you are nearing the end of life.
- Residence: If you live in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, different rules may apply.”
Does Attendance Allowance Stop in a Care Home or Hospital?
Attendance Allowance can stop if you live in a care home where your costs are paid in whole or part by your local authority. Hospital stays can also affect payment. Always report these changes to DWP, and check the care home rule on the GOV.UK eligibility page for your situation.
Terminal Illness: Special Rules
If a healthcare professional has said you may have less than 12 months to live, you can claim straight away without waiting 6 months, and you are paid at the higher rate. Ask the helpline about the fast-track process.
How to Claim?
- Request or download the form. You claim on form AA1, which you can download from GOV.UK or request by phone on 0800 731 0122. The textphone number is 0800 731 0317.
- Ask early. Phone for the form first. If you ask for the form by phone and return it within 6 weeks, your claim can start from the date of your call. If you download the form yourself, payment normally starts from the date DWP receives it. Confirm the current time limit on GOV.UK.
- Describe your worst days. Write about what you cannot do safely or without help, how often, and what happens at night.
- Add evidence if you have it, such as a care plan, medication list or a letter from a GP or nurse. Generic letters saying “I support this application” are not helpful. Specific details are.
- Wait for the decision. If it is refused, you can ask DWP to look at it again, and free advice is available from Age UK, Citizens Advice and Disability Rights UK.
Living in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
The system differs depending on where you live.
- Scotland: Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) from Social Security Scotland has replaced Attendance Allowance. Existing AA claimants were moved across automatically. See mygov.scot for the current position.
- Moving to Scotland: If you move from England or Wales, you must tell DWP and make a new claim for Pension Age Disability Payment. Your AA stops 13 weeks after you move.
- Northern Ireland: Claims go through nidirect, using the contact details on the official page.
How Attendance Allowance Can “Boost” Your Pension Income?
AA does not change your State Pension, but it can improve your overall position:
- It is tax-free and not means-tested, so it does not reduce your pension and is not counted against savings.
- It can unlock other help. Getting AA can increase Pension Credit (through the severe disability addition), Council Tax Reduction and Housing Benefit. The amounts depend on your circumstances, so ask for a free benefits check from Age UK or Citizens Advice.
- It can help a carer. If you have a carer, they could get Carer’s Allowance if you have substantial caring needs. Eligibility has its own conditions.
Combined, the money can add up to far more than the £5,959 headline, which is why a full benefits check is worth doing.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming savings rule you out. They do not.
- Thinking you must have a carer. You do not. Whether you already have a carer makes no difference to eligibility. The assessment is based on your care needs.
- Underplaying bad days. Describe the hardest days, not the best ones.
- Forgetting the night. Night needs can move you to the higher rate.
- Missing the Scotland change. Scottish residents should apply for the Scottish payment.
- Using outdated rates. Use £76.70 and £114.60, not £73.90 and £110.40.
Official Sources
| Source | What It Covers | Link |
| GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance | Overview, eligibility, how much, how to claim | https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance |
| GOV.UK: How to claim | Claim methods, Scotland and moving rules | https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/how-to-claim |
| GOV.UK: AA1 claim form | Official claim form and guidance | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/attendance-allowance-claim-form |
| GOV.UK: State Pension age checker | Check your pension age | https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-age |
| mygov.scot: Pension Age Disability Payment | Scottish equivalent, how to apply | https://www.mygov.scot/pension-age-disability-payment/how-to-apply |
| nidirect: Attendance Allowance | Northern Ireland claims | https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/attendance-allowance |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Attendance Allowance in 2026/27?
£76.70 a week at the lower rate and £114.60 at the higher rate.
Where does the £5,959 figure come from?
It is the higher rate over a year: £114.60 × 52 = £5,959.20. The lower rate totals £3,988.40.
Is it a new payment?
No. Rates rose by 3.8% in April 2026 under annual uprating.
Is it taxable or means-tested?
No to both.
Does it increase my State Pension?
No. It is a separate benefit, but it may help you qualify for Pension Credit and other support.
Do I need a carer to claim?
No. Your care needs decide eligibility.
Can I claim if I get PIP?
No. You cannot get AA while receiving PIP, DLA or Adult Disability Payment.
What is the difference between the two rates?
Lower is help needed by day or night. Higher is help day and night, or terminal illness.
How is it paid?
Usually every four weeks into your account.
I live in Scotland. What do I claim?
Pension Age Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland.
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