Attendance Allowance is paid at two rates by the Department for Work and Pensions, with the higher rate capped at £114.60 for 2026/27, up from £110.40 in 2025/26. The lower rate is £76.70 per week for 2026/27, an increase from £73.90 the previous year. Eligibility for the higher rate requires needing help or supervision day and night, or being terminally ill, while conditions like severe back pain that necessitate assistance with dressing or moving qualify under the benefit's scope. Different rules apply for those nearing end of life, allowing quicker access and higher payments.
According to the DWP, as of February 2025, there were 1.9 million Attendance Allowance claimants across Great Britain, a rise of 140,000 from February 2024. The DWP said 120,000 people were entitled to the benefit but not receiving payment. Applying does not reduce existing benefits and may increase them, and Carers UK notes that if someone cared for receives Attendance Allowance, additional support like Carer’s Allowance may be available.
To claim, individuals must be in Great Britain when applying, with some exceptions, and have resided there for at least two of the last three years, though exceptions exist for refugees or humanitarian cases. It remains unclear what specific health conditions beyond severe back pain qualify, how many are currently eligible but not claiming beyond the February 2025 figure, and the exact application process and timeline, particularly for those nearing end of life. The specific exceptions to residency requirements, such as for armed forces members, are also not detailed.