Attendance Allowance: can Mum or Dad claim, and how?

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people who have reached State Pension age and have a disability or health condition severe enough that they need help looking after themselves or someone to supervise them. You do not need to have a carer to claim, and it does not cover mobility needs.

For England. Last checked 13 November 2026. Next check by 13 February 2027. From GOV.UK. General information, not financial, legal or medical advice. We do not quote amounts because they change: check GOV.UK for the current rates.

GOV.UK says you can get Attendance Allowance if you have reached State Pension age and all of these apply:

• you have a physical disability (including sensory disability), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or a health condition
• it is severe enough that you need help caring for yourself, or someone to supervise you for your own or someone else’s safety
• you have needed that help for at least 6 months

There are different eligibility rules if you are nearing the end of life, and you might be able to get it more quickly. There are also residency rules, and you cannot claim if you already get certain other disability benefits, such as Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.

In Scotland, you apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead.

No. GOV.UK states that you do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim. The benefit depends on the level of help the person needs because of their disability or health condition, not on who provides it.

It is paid at two different rates, depending on the level of care needed. If they get Attendance Allowance, they could also get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction. If they do have a carer, the carer could get Carer’s Allowance if the person has substantial caring needs.

GOV.UK says you cannot usually get Attendance Allowance if you live in a care home and your local authority pays for your care. You can still claim if you pay all your care home costs yourself.

You can apply online or by post. To apply you will need:

• their National Insurance number
• their address and contact details
• details of the disability or health condition they need extra help for
• details of their GP surgery or medical centre

For a postal claim, you can print the claim form or ask the Attendance Allowance helpline for one; the number is on the GOV.UK page. After you send the claim, you will get a text or letter within 3 weeks that explains when you can expect a decision.

The start date matters. If you apply online, the claim starts on the date you make it. If you post the form, it starts on the date the Department for Work and Pensions receives it. If you phone the helpline to get a form, it starts on the date of your call, as long as you return the form within 6 weeks.

Most people are not asked to attend an assessment. GOV.UK says one is only needed if it is unclear how the disability or health condition affects them. If you disagree with a decision, you can challenge it by asking for a mandatory reconsideration.

If you would like to talk it through, call 01242 371048, day or night: our on-call team answers.

GOV.UK says there are different rules for people nearing the end of life: they might get Attendance Allowance more quickly and at a higher rate. A person who has reached State Pension age, and whom a doctor or other medical professional says might have 12 months or less to live, can claim under these rules. Anyone can claim on their behalf without their permission, a medical professional can provide the form needed, and no face-to-face assessment is required. See our guide to end of life care at home.

If you look after Mum or Dad, you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance and ask for a free carer’s assessment: see Carer’s Allowance and carer’s assessments. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so you can claim it whatever your savings: see the council’s financial assessment.

It does not quote the weekly rates, which change: check GOV.UK. It does not say how long a decision takes, only that you will be told within 3 weeks of claiming when to expect it. It covers England and Wales, and not the rules in Scotland.

• GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance (read 13 November 2026)
• GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance eligibility (read 13 November 2026)
• GOV.UK: How to claim Attendance Allowance (read 13 November 2026)
• GOV.UK: Carer’s Allowance (read 13 November 2026)

This guide is general information for England, written by the Cott’s Care team. Cott’s Care Limited (registered with the CQC as Cott’s Care Solutions) is a family-run home care provider in Cheltenham with over 20 years of experience.

Every public fact comes from the official pages listed above, which we read on 13 November 2026. We do not quote benefit amounts, fees or thresholds, because they change: the sources give the current figures. We will check this guide again by 13 February 2027, and sooner if the rules change.

It is not financial, legal or medical advice, and we cannot say whether any person will qualify for a benefit or service. If you spot something that looks out of date, please tell us on 01242 371048.

Cite this guide: Cott’s Care Limited (13 November 2026). Attendance Allowance: can Mum or Dad claim, and how?. https://cottscareltd.co.uk/guides/attendance-allowance-for-a-parent/

• Paying for home care in Gloucestershire
• The council’s financial assessment, savings and your house
• Carer’s Allowance and carer’s assessments
• End of life care at home
• How to arrange home care for a parent in England