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Who can get Attendance Allowance?

You may get Attendance Allowance (AA) if the following apply:

• you have a physical disability (including sensory disability, such as blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both
• your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
• you are aged 65 or over when you claim

Attendance Allowance isn't usually affected by any savings or income you may have.

If you're under age 65, you may get Disability Living Allowance.

Special rules - if you're terminally ill

They are special rules for people who are terminally ill. This means people who have a progressive illness and are not expected to live more than another six months. The special rules mean people get the higher rate of Attendance Allowance straight away.

• Attendance Allowance - eligibility

Medical examinations

You will not usually need a medical examination when you claim for Attendance Allowance. Sometimes it is necessary in order to assess how your condition affects you.

If you're asked to have one you can find out more using the following links.

• Attendance Allowance medical examination

• Attendance Allowance medical examination - what it involves

• Attendance Allowance medical examination - what happens next

How much do you get?

The amount you get depends on how much your disability affects you.

There are two rates of Attendance Allowance.

How to claim Attendance Allowance

Claim straight away - otherwise you may lose benefit.

You can claim online or get a claim pack by:

Find out more in 'Attendance Allowance - rates and how to claim'.

• Attendance Allowance - rates and how to claim

• Benefits online service Opens new window

How Attendance Allowance is paid

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into an account. This is the safest, most convenient and efficient method of payment.

• How benefits and pensions are paid

Effect on other benefits and entitlements

If you start to get Attendance Allowance, it might increase the amount of other benefits and financial support you're entitled to.

You may get an extra amount for severe disability with:

Attendance Allowance is normally ignored as income for working out income-related benefits and other entitlements.

• Housing Benefit

• Council Tax Benefit

• Pension Credit

What else you need to know

To get Attendance Allowance you must generally be in Great Britain or treated as living here. You must also meet certain other conditions about your residence and presence.

Also, changes to your circumstances can affect the amount of Attendance Allowance you get, or whether you get it.

• Attendance Allowance - your circumstances

More about Attendance Allowance

• Taking disability benefits to other European countries (disabled people section)

More useful links

• Guide to financial support for disabled people (disabled people section)

• Information for carers (caring for someone section)

• Support to stay in your own home (over 50s section)