Attendance Allowance Rates 2026
Weekly amounts at lower and higher rate, how day and night care needs determine which rate you receive, and the additional benefits that AA can unlock — all for the 2026/27 tax year.
Weekly Rates from 6 April 2026
Lower Rate vs Higher Rate — How the Day & Night Split Works
Which rate is determined by your care needs — not your diagnosis
You need frequent help with personal care during the day, or prolonged or repeated supervision during the night to stay safe — but not both. For example: someone who needs help dressing, bathing, and taking medication during the day but sleeps safely through the night.
You need help or supervision during the day and at night. Also applies automatically under the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL), where a fast-track claim is available for people not expected to live more than 12 months.
💡 Night supervision does not mean constant care
For Attendance Allowance purposes, needing supervision at night does not require someone to be physically present all night. If you need someone to be awake and available to keep you safe — for example because of dementia, epilepsy, severe anxiety, or a condition causing confusion or disorientation — that can qualify as night supervision and may support a higher rate award.Rate Comparison — 2025/26 vs 2026/27
How rates changed from April 2026
3.8% increase — September 2025 CPI| Rate | 2025/26 (weekly) | 2026/27 (weekly) | Increase | Extra per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower rate | £73.90 | £76.70 | +£2.80/wk | +£145.60/yr |
| Higher rate | £110.40 | £114.60 | +£4.20/wk | +£218.40/yr |
Eligibility Rules
Who can claim Attendance Allowance in 2026?
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | Must have reached State Pension age (currently 66). If you are under 66, apply for PIP instead. |
| Care needs | Need help with personal care or supervision to stay safe, due to a physical or mental health condition |
| Duration of need | Care needs must have existed for at least 6 months before payments begin (waived under SREL for terminal illness) |
| Means-tested? | No. Income, savings, and whether you work do not affect eligibility or the amount awarded |
| Residency | Usually must be habitually resident in Great Britain and have been present for at least 2 of the last 3 years |
| Scotland | AA is being replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) administered by Social Security Scotland — same rates, different application process |
| Terminal illness (SREL) | Fast-track route — no 6-month wait, higher rate awarded automatically, claim processed within days |
⚠️ No list of qualifying conditions
The DWP does not award Attendance Allowance based on a diagnosis. Any physical or mental health condition can qualify — what matters is how it affects your ability to care for yourself safely. Common conditions that lead to successful claims include arthritis, dementia, Parkinson's disease, heart failure, stroke-related disability, COPD, and serious mental health conditions — but the evidence must describe your actual daily care needs, not just the condition name. Always describe what help you need on a bad day, not just on a good one.What Attendance Allowance Can Unlock
Receiving Attendance Allowance does not reduce any of your existing benefits. It can actually increase what you receive by triggering additional entitlements. According to Citizens Advice, many people are missing out on these secondary benefits simply because they have not connected them to their AA award.
Pension Credit — disability addition
AA triggers an extra disability addition on top of Pension Credit. If you are not currently receiving Pension Credit, AA may bring you into eligibility. Contact the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234 to request a recalculation.
Housing Benefit — disability premium
If you rent and receive Housing Benefit, AA can trigger a disability premium that increases your Housing Benefit award. The amount depends on your local authority's calculation.
Council Tax Reduction
Receiving AA can qualify you for a disability discount on your council tax, or increase an existing reduction. Contact your local council to apply — the rules vary by authority.
Warm Home Discount
AA may qualify you for the £150 Warm Home Discount on your electricity bill under the broader group criteria, particularly if you are also on a low income or means-tested benefit. The scheme reopens each October.
Carer's Allowance for your carer
If someone cares for you for 35 or more hours per week, they may be able to claim Carer's Allowance (£83.30/week in 2026) — but only if you are receiving AA at either rate. See the Carer's Allowance Calculator.
Blue Badge & vehicle tax exemption
Higher rate AA automatically qualifies you for a Blue Badge (disabled parking permit) and exemption from vehicle tax. Lower rate AA may also support a Blue Badge application depending on your mobility needs.
Hospital Rule — What Happens if You Are Admitted
The 28-day clock resets if you leave hospital and remain out for at least 28 consecutive days before a new admission. Short stays linked together do not automatically add up — each period must be assessed separately. The hospital rule applies to NHS in-patient care only; day-patient treatment and outpatient appointments do not affect your AA payment.
⚠️ Care home rule
If you move into a care home, AA continues only if you pay all your own fees. If your local council contributes to or fully funds your care, AA is normally stopped after 28 days. AA may continue if you are in a privately funded residential placement where the council does not contribute to care costs. Contact the DWP to confirm your specific situation before moving.How to Claim
Claiming Attendance Allowance — key facts
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Phone to request the form | Call the AA helpline on 0800 731 0122. Your claim is backdated to the date of your call — even before the form arrives. This can be worth several weeks of payments compared to downloading the form online. |
| Complete form AA1 | The form is approximately 32 pages. Focus on how your condition affects your daily life on a typical day — and particularly on a bad day. Include specific examples rather than general descriptions. |
| Supporting evidence | You do not need a GP letter to apply, but supporting evidence from a doctor, specialist, or care professional can strengthen your claim. The DWP may contact your GP directly for information. |
| Decision timeline | Most decisions are made within 40 working days. If approved, payment is backdated to the date you phoned to request the form (or the date the online form was received). |
| If refused | You have the right to request a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month of the decision. If still refused, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. Citizens Advice can help with reconsiderations and appeals. |
| Scotland | Apply for Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) instead through Social Security Scotland — same rates, but the form extends to 88 pages and the process differs. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Attendance Allowance in 2026?
From 6 April 2026, Attendance Allowance is £76.70 per week at the lower rate and £114.60 per week at the higher rate. Payments are made every 4 weeks — £306.80 and £458.40 respectively. Both rates are tax-free and do not affect other benefits. At the higher rate, the annual total is £5,959.20.
Who qualifies for Attendance Allowance?
You must have reached State Pension age (currently 66), need help with personal care or supervision due to a physical or mental health condition, and have had that need for at least 6 months. AA is not means-tested — income and savings have no effect. If you are under 66, the equivalent benefit is PIP.
Does Attendance Allowance affect Pension Credit?
AA does not count as income for Pension Credit purposes. Better still, receiving AA can increase your Pension Credit by triggering a disability addition. If you are already on Pension Credit and are then awarded AA, contact the Pension Service to have your Pension Credit recalculated — this step is often missed and can mean missing out on additional payments.
Can I get Attendance Allowance if I live in a care home?
Only if you pay all of your care home fees yourself. If your local council pays for some or all of your care, AA is normally suspended after 28 days in the home. If you fund your own care entirely, AA continues in full. Contact the DWP to clarify your situation before making any changes.
What happens to Attendance Allowance if I go into hospital?
AA continues for the first 28 days of an NHS in-patient stay. After 28 days, it is suspended until you are discharged, at which point it restarts automatically. Day-patient treatment and outpatient appointments have no effect on your payments.
I already receive PIP — can I switch to Attendance Allowance when I turn 66?
No. If you are already receiving PIP when you reach State Pension age, you continue to receive PIP — you do not transfer to AA. AA is only available to those who make a new claim for disability support after reaching 66. Those already on PIP retain their existing award, including any future reviews under PIP rules.
Related Calculators & Rate Pages
Source: DWP — Benefit and Pension Rates 2026 to 2027. Rates apply from 6 April 2026. Scotland: Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) is administered by Social Security Scotland at the same rates. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. For free, personalised guidance visit Citizens Advice or call the AA helpline on 0800 731 0122.
Want to check whether you or a relative may qualify?
Our Attendance Allowance eligibility tool walks through the key day and night care questions.
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