Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance ( AA ) is paid to people aged 65 and older who are severely disabled physically or mentally to the extent that they need help with personal care - such as getting in and out of bed or someone to help you remain safe in the home.

Your entitlement is based on how much help with personal care you need because of your disability and AA is paid at different rates depending on whether you need care during the day, during the night, or both.

AA may be paid no matter how much money you have coming in, and you do not have to pay tax on it. AA is also not affected by savings.

If you go into hospital, payment of AA will usually stop after 4 weeks.

To claim, you should contact your nearest Disability Benefits Centre or get a claim pack from Jobcentre Plus offices, social security offices, Pension Centres, by phoning the Benefit Enquiry Line or by downloading the claim form.

Telephone: 0800 88 22 00

• Notes about claiming Attendance Allowance  (189kb) 
• Find your nearest Disability Benefits Centre  (external link)

 

There is more information on Disability Living Allowance on the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) website.

More on Attendance Allowance (external link)

More Information

A confidential telephone service is available for disabled people and carers. You can also get help filling in your Attendance Allowance claim form.

Telephone: 0800 882 200 (Mon-Fri, 8.30 am-6.30 pm, Sat 9.00 am-1.00 pm)

Textphone: 0800 243 355

Details provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (external link)