Attendance Allowance
What is Attendance Allowance (AA)?
Attendance Allowance (AA) is a benefit for people who are State Pension age or over and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you live in Scotland, apply for Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) instead.
AA is for people who have problems looking after themselves (personal care needs) because of an illness or disability.
If you are under State Pension age, apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead.
We also have a downloadable PDF factsheet about Attendance Allowance.
The benefits system can be hard to understand. Call us free on 0808 808 00 00 to talk to a Macmillan money adviser, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Related pages
Can I claim AA?
To get AA, you must have problems with looking after yourself. You must need at least 1 of the following:
- help with your personal care
- someone to be with you to keep you safe during the day or night (supervision).
You must have needed this help for at least 6 months, unless you are terminally ill and claiming under special rules (under 'Terminal illness and special rules' below).
Help with personal care means help with things like:
- getting in and out of bed
- using the toilet or managing incontinence
- washing yourself – including getting in and out of the bath or shower
- looking after your appearance
- dressing and undressing
- moving around indoors
- eating and drinking
- taking medicines and managing treatments
- communicating with other people
- having dialysis, which is a type of treatment for kidney problems
- avoiding any danger to yourself or others.
You may need help with personal care because you are having problems with physical things, such as washing yourself. Or you may need help because of how you are feeling. For example, you may find it very stressful trying to daily personal tasks.
If you often have problems looking after yourself or need someone with you to make sure you are safe, you should consider applying for AA.
It is also important to know that:
- you can claim AA whether you are working or not
- you do not need to have paid National Insurance to claim AA
- you do not need to have a carer or someone helping you to claim
- your income and savings do not affect your claim
- if you get AA, your other benefits will not be reduced – they may even increase
- AA payments are tax-free.
How much could I get?
AA is paid at 2 different rates. The rate you get depends on how much care you need:
- lower rate – if you need help or supervision either during the day or night
- higher rate – if you need help or supervision both during the day and night or if you are terminally ill.
You can find out the current rates of payment at GOV.UK.
The money is paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. It can also be paid to someone on your behalf if you cannot make a claim yourself.
There are no rules around how you can spend AA. You do not need to spend the money you get paying for care. Some people have support from family or friends and use the money for other things, such as equipment or transport.
Terminal illness and special rules
If you are terminally ill, you can apply using a process called special rules.
Claiming AA under special rules means:
- you do not need to have had problems looking after yourself for 6 months
- you may get a decision faster
- you get the benefit at the highest rate
- the money is paid weekly
- someone can make the claim on your behalf.
Related pages
How can I claim AA?
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If you live in England and Wales
If you live in England or Wales, you can:
- apply online or download and print an application form at GOV.UK
- call the AA helpline on 0800 731 0122 or use textphone 0800 731 0317 and ask for a form.
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If you live in Northern Ireland
If you live in Northern Ireland, you can:
- apply online or download and print an application form at NI Direct
- call the Disability and Carers Service helpline on 0800 587 0912 or use textphone 0800 012 1574 and ask them to send you a form
- visit your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office.
If you ask for a form to be sent to you by post, try to return it within 6 weeks. If you return the form within this time, the benefit can be backdated to the date you requested the form.
Filling in the form
The claim form asks personal questions about how your health problems affect your daily life.
Here are some tips for completing the form:
- The form is long. Make sure you have plenty of time. You may find it helpful to read the form first. Then you can get all the information you need before you start. The form also comes with notes to explain the questions and help you answer them.
- Try to include as much detail as possible.
- You may want to record any problems you have to show how your condition affects your daily life. We have a diary you can use to do this. You can send it as supporting evidence along with your form.
Someone else can complete the form for you, if you can sign it. If you cannot sign the form, the person completing the form needs legal permission to sign it on your behalf. This is called power of attorney. You can find out more information about becoming an appointee for someone at GOV.UK.
If you are terminally ill, you do not need to sign the form.
What happens if my claim is approved?
You will get a letter that explains whether you will get AA, and how much you will get. AA has 2 rates. We have more information in our ‘How much can I get?’ section above.
If your claim is approved, the letter will tell you how much you will get and for how long.
What happens if my situation changes?
If your situation changes, your AA claim may be affected. For example, if your condition gets worse, you may be able to get the higher rate.
Your AA payments may be affected if you go abroad, or if you go into hospital or a care home for more than 4 weeks.
The rules are complicated, so it may be helpful to speak with a welfare rights adviser. You can contact your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales, Advice NI in Northern Ireland or benefits advice centre.
You should tell the benefits service if anything changes:
- If you live in England, or Wales, call the AA helpline on 0800 731 0122 or use textphone 0800 731 0317.
- If you live in Northern Ireland, call the Disability and Carers Service on 0800 587 0912 or use textphone 0800 012 1574.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our benefits information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
GOV.UK www.gov.uk [accessed May 2025].
NI Direct www.nidirect.gov.uk [accessed May 2025].
Social Security Scotland www.socialsecurity.gov.scot [accessed May 2025].
Macmillan Welfare Rights Team
Reviewer
Date reviewed
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