Attendance Allowance Points Calculator 2026 — Eligibility Checker & Complete Guide

Check if you qualify for £76.70 or £114.60 per week, understand the day and night care rules, see what other benefits Attendance Allowance can unlock, and learn exactly how to claim.

1. Basic Eligibility
?State Pension age is currently 66. If you are under 66, apply for PIP instead. If you already receive PIP when you turn 66, you continue on PIP — you do not switch to Attendance Allowance.
2. Daytime Care Needs
?This includes help with washing, dressing, eating, taking medication, getting around the home, or supervision to stay safe from harm — even if the help is currently provided by a family member rather than a paid carer.
3. Night-time Care Needs
?Night supervision does not require physical care throughout the night. If someone needs to be awake and available — for example due to dementia, epilepsy, or falls risk — that can qualify as night supervision.
4. Special Rules (Terminal Illness)

SREL applications are fast-tracked. The higher rate is awarded automatically without a standard assessment. The 6-month qualifying period is waived.

What Is Attendance Allowance? — 2026 Rates & Key Facts

1.6m
People receiving AA in the UK
35%
First-time claims rejected — most succeed on reconsideration
£5,959
Annual value at higher rate 2026/27

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free, non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age (currently 66) who need help with personal care or supervision due to a physical or mental health condition. Your income, savings, and whether you already have a carer make no difference to whether you qualify — the assessment is based entirely on your care needs.

It is administered by the DWP and paid every 4 weeks directly into your bank account. Rates increased by 3.8% from 6 April 2026, in line with September 2025 CPI inflation. Full rate details are published in the official DWP Benefit and Pension Rates 2026 to 2027 or on our Attendance Allowance Rates page.

🌙 Lower rate — Day OR Night
£76.70
per week · £306.80 every 4 weeks · £3,988.40/year
For people needing frequent help or supervision during the day or at night — but not both.
🌗 Higher rate — Day AND Night
£114.60
per week · £458.40 every 4 weeks · £5,959.20/year
For people needing help or supervision both day and night, or under Special Rules for terminal illness.
Rate 2025/26 2026/27 Increase
Lower rate £73.90 £76.70 +£2.80/wk (+£145.60/yr)
Higher rate £110.40 £114.60 +£4.20/wk (+£218.40/yr)

Existing claimants receive the increased rate automatically from 7 April 2026. No action required. If you have not received your uprating letter by end of April, call 0800 731 0122.

Lower vs Higher Rate — How the Day & Night Split Works

The key decision in an Attendance Allowance claim is whether your care needs occur during the day, at night, or both. The DWP does not award based on diagnosis — it awards based on when you need help and how frequent that need is.

🌙 Lower rate — £76.70/wk

Day OR Night

You need frequent attention with personal care during the day, or prolonged or repeated supervision at night — but not necessarily both.

🌗 Higher rate — £114.60/wk

Day AND Night

You need help or supervision during the day and at night. Also applies automatically under SREL for terminal illness.

What counts as "night-time supervision"?

Many people underestimate their night-time needs and miss out on the higher rate. Night supervision does not require someone to be physically present all night. If someone needs to be awake and available to keep you safe — for example because of:

  • Dementia causing confusion, wandering, or distress at night
  • Epilepsy with nocturnal seizures requiring intervention
  • Falls risk requiring someone to help get to the toilet safely
  • Severe anxiety or PTSD causing night terrors requiring reassurance
  • Heart conditions requiring someone to be available in an emergency
  • Parkinson's needing help turning in bed or managing muscle stiffness

— that qualifies as night supervision and may support a higher rate award.

Common scenarios and likely outcomes

Example 1 — Arthritis, needs help dressing and bathing (day only) Margaret, 74, has severe arthritis in both hands. She needs help dressing and bathing each morning, and assistance preparing meals. She sleeps safely through the night.
✓ Lower rate — £76.70/wk (daytime care needs)
Example 2 — Alzheimer's, wandering at night John, 81, has Alzheimer's disease. His wife helps him with dressing, eating, and medication during the day. At night he frequently tries to get out of bed and becomes confused — his wife needs to be awake to keep him safe.
✓ Higher rate — £114.60/wk (day and night needs)
Example 3 — COPD, breathlessness during activity Brenda, 71, has severe COPD. She struggles to dress and bathe without becoming breathless and needs someone present for safety. She uses a CPAP machine at night which she manages independently.
✓ Lower rate — £76.70/wk (day care needs; manages at night)

⚠️ Describe your worst days — not your best

The DWP considers what you can do safely, reliably, and on most days. If your condition fluctuates, describe the care you need on a bad day — provided bad days occur more than half the time. The most common reason for AA claims being under-awarded or refused is the claimant describing their best-day functioning rather than their typical day.

What Conditions Qualify for Attendance Allowance?

There is no official list of qualifying conditions. The DWP awards Attendance Allowance based on how your condition affects your need for help or supervision — not on the name of the condition. Any physical or mental health condition can lead to an award.

According to Citizens Advice, the following conditions frequently feature in successful Attendance Allowance claims — but this is not a qualifying list:

Arthritis (all types)
Dementia / Alzheimer's
Parkinson's disease
Heart failure / angina
COPD / emphysema
Stroke-related disability
Cancer (any stage)
Multiple sclerosis
Diabetes with complications
Severe depression / anxiety
Epilepsy
Visual / hearing impairment
Kidney disease / dialysis
Severe learning disabilities
Osteoporosis with mobility loss
Fibromyalgia / chronic pain
You do not need a carer to qualify. The assessment is based on the help you reasonably need — not what you currently receive. Many people live alone without any formal care and still qualify because of the help they need but are not getting. If you are managing your care needs by going without help, or by relying on family informally, you should still be awarded based on your genuine need.

What Attendance Allowance Can Unlock

Receiving Attendance Allowance does not reduce your existing benefits — it can increase them. The combined value of secondary entitlements often significantly exceeds the AA weekly rate itself.

💰

Pension Credit — Severe Disability Addition

AA triggers an extra £81.50/week on Pension Credit (2026). If you are not currently receiving Pension Credit, AA may now bring you into eligibility. Contact the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234. See Pension Credit Calculator →

🏠

Housing Benefit — Disability Premium

If you rent and receive Housing Benefit, AA triggers a disability premium increase. Contact your local council to request a recalculation after your AA is awarded.

🏛️

Council Tax Reduction

AA can qualify you or your household for a higher rate of Council Tax Reduction, or make you eligible where you were not before. Contact your local council.

🤝

Carer's Allowance for your carer

If someone cares for you 35+ hours per week, your AA award allows them to claim Carer's Allowance — worth £83.30/week in 2026. They cannot claim without your AA being in place.

🅿️

Blue Badge — Discretionary Application

AA does not automatically qualify you for a Blue Badge — only PIP or DLA mobility awards do that. However, an AA award, combined with evidence of substantial walking difficulty, can strengthen a discretionary Blue Badge application.

⚡

Warm Home Discount

AA may qualify you for the £150 Warm Home Discount under the broader group criteria, particularly when combined with a low income. Scheme reopens each October.

Always contact the Pension Service after an AA award. Even if you already receive Pension Credit, notify the Pension Service (0800 99 1234) — your award will be recalculated to include the Severe Disability Addition. This step is frequently missed, leaving people without an extra £81.50/week they are entitled to.

How to Claim Attendance Allowance — Step by Step

  1. 1
    Phone 0800 731 0122 to request form AA1
    This is the most important step. Your claim is backdated to the date of this phone call — not to when the form arrives or is returned. If your AA is later awarded, you receive a lump sum backdated to today's call. A family member or carer can phone on your behalf.
  2. 2
    Complete form AA1 — describe your worst days
    The form is 32 pages. For each section, describe what you need rather than what you currently manage. Describe a typical bad day — what help you require, how long tasks take, what happens if you try without help. Avoid vague phrases like "I struggle" — use specific examples like "I need someone to help me lift my arms to put on my top because of shoulder pain and weakness."
  3. 3
    Add supporting evidence if you have it
    You do not need to provide evidence — the DWP contacts your GP directly. However, a supporting letter from your GP, specialist, district nurse, or occupational therapist describing your functional limitations (not just your diagnosis) significantly strengthens your claim. A letter from a family member or carer describing what they witness daily is also valuable.
  4. 4
    Return the form within 6 weeks of the date it was sent
    Keep a photocopy of everything you send. The DWP usually makes a decision within 40 working days. If approved, the first payment includes a backdated lump sum to the date of your original phone call.
  5. 5
    If refused — request a Mandatory Reconsideration
    Around 35% of first-time AA claims are refused. Many succeed on Mandatory Reconsideration when the form is resubmitted with more specific functional evidence. Request a reconsideration in writing within 1 month of the refusal letter. Citizens Advice provides free help at their local offices.

⚠️ Scotland — apply for PADP instead

If you live in Scotland, Attendance Allowance is being replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), administered by Social Security Scotland. The rates are identical, but the application process and form differ. Apply through mygov.scot rather than the DWP helpline.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Attendance Allowance in 2026?

From 6 April 2026, Attendance Allowance is £76.70 per week (lower rate) and £114.60 per week (higher rate). Payments are made every 4 weeks — £306.80 and £458.40 respectively. The annual higher rate total is £5,959.20. Both rates are tax-free and do not count as income for means-tested benefits. Full rate details: Attendance Allowance Rates 2026 →

What conditions qualify for Attendance Allowance?

There is no official qualifying list. Any physical or mental health condition can lead to an award if it results in a need for help or supervision with personal care — washing, dressing, eating, taking medication, moving around, or staying safe. Common qualifying conditions include arthritis, dementia, Parkinson's, heart failure, COPD, stroke, cancer, and severe mental health conditions. The key is how the condition affects your daily life, not the diagnosis.

Does Attendance Allowance affect Pension Credit or other benefits?

AA does not count as income and does not reduce any benefit. It can increase your Pension Credit by triggering the Severe Disability Addition (£81.50/week extra in 2026), increase Housing Benefit through the disability premium, and enable a family carer to claim Carer's Allowance. Always notify the Pension Service and your local council after receiving an AA award.

Does Attendance Allowance qualify me for a Blue Badge?

No — not automatically. Blue Badge automatic eligibility is linked to PIP mobility awards (8+ points for 'moving around') or DLA higher rate mobility, not to Attendance Allowance, which has no mobility component. However, if you have substantial difficulty walking in addition to your care needs, an AA award can be used as supporting evidence in a discretionary Blue Badge application — the council will assess your overall mobility situation.

How do I claim Attendance Allowance?

Phone 0800 731 0122 to request form AA1 — your claim is backdated to the date of this call. Complete the form describing your care needs on a typical bad day, include any supporting evidence, and return within 6 weeks. The DWP usually decides within 40 working days. If successful, you receive a backdated lump sum to the date of your original phone call.

What happens if I go into hospital or a care home?

AA continues for the first 28 days of an NHS hospital stay, then is suspended until discharge. If you move into a care home and pay all your fees privately, AA continues. If the local council contributes to your care costs, AA usually stops after 28 days. Contact the DWP before any care home move to confirm your specific situation. See full hospital and care home rules at Attendance Allowance Rates 2026 →

I already receive PIP — should I switch to Attendance Allowance when I turn 66?

No. If you are already receiving PIP when you reach State Pension age, you continue on PIP — you do not switch to Attendance Allowance. AA is only for people making a new disability benefit claim after they reach age 66. Existing PIP claimants retain their award and are reviewed under PIP rules.