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DWP Attendance Allowance 2026/27£114.60/Wk Higher RateTax-Free & Not Means-Tested

Attendance Allowance Eligibility & Rates Calculator

Check the 2026/27 Attendance Allowance rates and main eligibility conditions, including State Pension age, the 6-month care-needs rule and the difference between the lower and higher rates.

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Check the 2026/27 Rate and Main Eligibility Conditions

Use this page to see the current Attendance Allowance rates, check the main qualifying conditions and estimate the weekly, 4-weekly and annual value of an award. The result is a screening tool, not a DWP decision.

Attendance Allowance Eligibility & Payment Estimator

Check the main eligibility conditions and calculate the 2026/27 weekly and 4-weekly value

This is normally required unless special end-of-life rules apply.
Normally you must have been in Great Britain for at least 2 of the last 3 years, subject to exceptions.

Attendance Allowance Entitlement Result:

Weekly DWP Rate
£76.7/wk
Tax-Free Payout
4-Weekly Bank Payment
£306.8
Direct Payment
Annual Total Value
£3988.4
Not Means-Tested

Attendance Allowance: Main Eligibility Checks

1. AGE
State Pension age

The normal route is for people who have reached State Pension age.

2. CARE / SAFETY NEED
Help or supervision

Your disability or health condition must mean you need help looking after yourself or supervision for safety.

3. DURATION
Normally 6 months

The help must normally have been needed for at least 6 months.

Residence
Great Britain

The normal rule requires being in Great Britain when claiming and having been there for at least 2 of the last 3 years, subject to exceptions.

End of life
Special rules

Different rules can apply where a medical professional says you are nearing the end of life, including faster access to the higher rate.

DWP Attendance Allowance Rates Summary (2026/27)

Attendance Allowance is paid directly into your bank account every 4 weeks.

Payment TierCare Requirement DescriptionWeekly Rate4-Weekly Payout
Lower RateFrequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night£76.70 / week£306.80 every 4 weeks
Higher RateHelp or supervision throughout both day and night, or a medical professional has said you are nearing the end of life£114.60 / week£458.40 every 4 weeks

Key Benefits of Attendance Allowance

100% Tax-Free & Savings Ignored

Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so your income and savings do not affect the amount you receive.

Unlocks Extra Pension Credit

You could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you receive Attendance Allowance, depending on the rules for the other benefit.

What to Prepare Before Claiming

Describe what help you need
Focus on the actual help or supervision you need because of your condition, including how often it is needed and whether it is needed during the day, at night or both.
Explain safety supervision
Supervision can be relevant where it is needed to keep you or someone else safe because of your health condition or disability.
Report changes: DWP says you should contact the Attendance Allowance helpline straight away if your care needs change, you go into hospital or a care home, your address/bank details change, or another reportable circumstance occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions (6 FAQs)

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free, non-means-tested benefit for people who have reached State Pension age and have a physical or mental disability or health condition severe enough that they need help caring for themselves or supervision for safety. You do not need to have someone actually caring for you to claim.

For 2026/27, the lower rate is £76.70 a week and the higher rate is £114.60 a week. The lower rate is for frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night. The higher rate is for help or supervision throughout both day and night, or where a medical professional has said you are nearing the end of life.

No. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so income and savings do not affect the amount you receive. It is also tax-free. Other benefit entitlement can still depend on the wider circumstances of the household.

Normally, yes. GOV.UK says you must have needed help with personal care or supervision for at least 6 months. Different rules apply if you are nearing the end of life, where special rules can allow a higher-rate award more quickly.

No. You do not need a paid carer, and you do not have to spend the money on care services. Eligibility is based on the help or supervision you need because of your disability or health condition.

It can. GOV.UK says you could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you receive Attendance Allowance. The effect depends on the benefit and your household circumstances, so it should not be described as an automatic increase in every case.

Official DWP Attendance Allowance Sources:

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Key Attendance Allowance Rates (2026/27)
Lower Weekly Rate£76.70 / wk
Higher Weekly Rate£114.60 / wk
Tax Status100% Tax-Free
Means TestingNot Means-Tested
Care Need DurationNormally 6 months

Related Senior Guides

Pension Credit Guide
Top-up income eligibility
PIP & DLA Guide
Working-age disability benefit
DWP Claim Helpline

To request a paper claim form AA1 or ask questions about an existing claim:

Telephone: 0800 731 0122
Textphone: 0800 731 0317
Claim Details on GOV.UK →