Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free, non-means tested benefit.

You may be entitled to it if you are 65 or over and need help with personal care.

Who can get Attendance Allowance?

You may get Attendance Allowance (AA) if the following apply:

You have a physical disability (including sensory disability, such as blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both
Your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
You are aged 65 or over when you claim

Attendance Allowance isn’t usually affected by any savings or income you may have, it is not means-tested at present although some will argue that it should be in the future.

If you’re under age 65, you may get Disability Living Allowance.

Special rules – If you are terminally ill

They are special rules for people who are terminally ill. This means people who have a progressive illness and are not expected to live more than another six months. The special rules mean people get the higher rate of Attendance Allowance straight away.

Medical examinations

You will not usually need a medical examination when you claim for Attendance Allowance. Sometimes it is necessary in order to assess how your condition affects you.