Newest figures counsel that greater than one million older individuals within the UK are eligible for Attendance Allowance however haven’t claimed it. This money enhance may assist cowl care prices, transport, and even simply make on a regular basis life somewhat simpler — but billions of kilos are going unclaimed yearly.

How many individuals are lacking out?

In line with Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) knowledge, round 1.9 million individuals presently declare Attendance Allowance throughout Nice Britain. Nevertheless, analysis by Coverage in Apply discovered that over 1.1 million pension-age households could also be eligible however aren’t claiming — leaving an estimated £5.2 billion unclaimed annually.

Which means 1000’s of individuals in each city might be lacking out on a profit designed to help these with disabilities or well being situations.

“Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested — so your revenue and financial savings don’t have an effect on eligibility,” explains MoneyMagpie’s private finance editor Vicky Parry. “Even in case you assume you received’t qualify, it’s price checking. You may be entitled to a whole lot of kilos every month.”

Who can get Attendance Allowance?

  • You have to be State Pension age or over.
  • You might have a incapacity or long-term well being situation that impacts every day dwelling (washing, dressing, consuming, or transferring round).
  • You’ve wanted assist or supervision for at the very least six months (except you’re terminally unwell, when fast-track guidelines apply).

Importantly, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested. You possibly can declare it even in case you have financial savings or a non-public pension. The cash is tax-free and might be spent nevertheless you select — whether or not that’s paying for care, transport, or house help.

How a lot is Attendance Allowance in 2025?

  • Decrease fee: £72.65 per week (for daytime or night-time assist)
  • Increased fee: £108.55 per week (for assist wanted day and night time, or if terminally unwell)

That’s as much as £5,645 a yr, tax-free — cash that would make an enormous distinction for a lot of older individuals on mounted incomes.

Find out how to declare Attendance Allowance (step-by-step)

  1. Get the declare kind (AA1): Order it by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline or obtain it from GOV.UK.
  2. Fill it in rigorously: Be particular about what provide help to want and the way usually. Use examples — like needing assist getting dressed or reminders to take medicine.
  3. Connect supporting proof: GP notes, care plans or hospital letters will help, however you may nonetheless declare with out them.
  4. Publish the shape again: Make a copy to your data. Claims are often backdated to the day you requested the shape.
  5. Need assistance? Contact Age UK or Residents Recommendation totally free assist filling within the kind.

In case your declare is refused, don’t surrender — you may request a compulsory reconsideration or attraction. Many individuals win on evaluate once they embody extra element about their every day struggles.

Why so many individuals miss out

  • They’ve by no means heard of Attendance Allowance.
  • They assume it’s means-tested (it isn’t).
  • They assume their well being points aren’t “dangerous sufficient”.
  • They discover the shape daunting or complicated.

Charities like Age UK and Impartial Age will help you full the shape totally free — and might even submit it in your behalf. It’s definitely worth the effort, as claiming Attendance Allowance may unlock different help resembling Council Tax reductions, Pension Credit score, or disability-related grants.

Don’t go away cash on the desk

Attendance Allowance could be a monetary lifeline for individuals fighting well being situations in later life. With over one million households doubtlessly lacking out, it’s price taking 20 minutes to verify in case you or a beloved one qualify.

Even in case you solely obtain the decrease fee, that’s greater than £3,700 a yr — sufficient to assist with heating, journey, or important care prices. Don’t miss out.

FAQs about Attendance Allowance (2025)

It often takes between six and ten weeks to get a call, relying on demand. Funds are backdated to once you utilized.

Sure — often to the date your kind was acquired by DWP, or the date you requested the shape in case you returned it inside six weeks.

No — it’s tax-free and doesn’t have an effect on your Pension Credit score or Council Tax Discount. The truth is, it could actually provide help to qualify for further funds.

In Scotland, new claims are dealt with by Social Safety Scotland below the Pension Age Incapacity Fee, which replaces Attendance Allowance for brand spanking new candidates.

For extra guides on claiming advantages, saving cash, and making your retirement revenue go additional, go to our Make Money and Save Money sections.