Attendance Allowance: the help many older people never claim

Attendance Allowance is one of the most useful benefits for older people who need help at home, and one of the most often missed.

How much goes unclaimed

In December 2023 Policy in Practice, writing for MoneySavingExpert, estimated that "over 1.1 million pension age households could be missing out on £5.2 billion of Attendance Allowance per year" (Policy in Practice, December 2023). That figure covers Great Britain and uses 2023/24 rates, which have risen since. It is still the most recent estimate: Policy in Practice's Missing Out 2026 report had not been published when we wrote this on 3 October 2026.

There is a second gap too. DWP's statistics published on 14 May 2026 put spending on Attendance Allowance at £8.5bn in 2025/26, and estimate a further £360m a year that people already claiming could get if DWP knew about changes in their circumstances, such as needing more help (DWP, 14 May 2026). DWP notes that this estimate rests on a sample from October 2020 to August 2021.

What it pays

In 2026/27 Attendance Allowance is £76.70 a week at the lower rate and £114.60 at the higher rate (GOV.UK, 2026/27 rates). It is for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care, such as washing or dressing, or need someone to keep an eye on them. It is not means-tested, so savings and income don't count, and you don't need to have a carer already (GOV.UK).

What this means for you

• If your relative is over State Pension age and needs help day or night, it is worth applying. The form is on GOV.UK, or you can ring the Attendance Allowance helpline for a paper copy.
• Keep a short diary for a week of the help they need and how long it takes. Real examples make the form easier to fill in.
• If they already get the lower rate and now need more help, tell DWP. Get advice first, because DWP looks at the whole award again.
• Ask about knock-on help. An award can mean extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction (GOV.UK), and a carer may be able to claim Carer's Allowance.
• In Scotland, new claims are for Pension Age Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland, available across Scotland since 22 April 2025 (mygov.scot).
• Free help with the form is available from Independent Age, Age UK and Citizens Advice.

Guidance only. DWP makes the decision.

Coming Home: Family Care, the UK iPhone app we're building, will help families see what they might be entitled to and prepare their answers. Join the waitlist.

Original source: People of pension age may be missing out on £5.2 billion, Policy in Practice for MoneySavingExpert, December 2023