Attendance Allowance Explained
Many families don't realise Attendance Allowance can be used to support private care — including paying a self-employed carer. It's not means-tested, it's tax-free, and it's paid directly to the person to help with care needs.
What Benefits Are Available for Care?
Let's cover:
Who qualifies
Lower vs higher rate
How much (update annually)
What it can be used for
Common myths
Many families don't realise Attendance Allowance can be used to support private care — including paying a self-employed carer.
It's not means-tested
It's tax-free
It's paid directly to the person
It is there to help with care needs
Attendance Allowance Explained (For Over 66s)
Basic eligibility:
Over State Pension age
Has a physical disability, illness or mental health condition
Needs help with personal care or supervision
Has needed help for at least 6 months (unless terminally ill)
Lives in the UK
Help can include:
Washing & dressing
Medication supervision
Preventing falls
Prompting for dementia
Night supervision
Lower vs Higher Rate
Lower rate
If help is needed:
During the day OR
During the night
Higher rate
If help is needed:
During the day AND the night
How Much Is It?
Attendance Allowance is paid weekly at two rates. These rates are reviewed annually by the government.
At the time of writing, February 2026, the rate is:
Attendance Allowance Weekly Rates
Lower rate: £73.90 per week – if help or supervision is needed during the day OR at night.
Higher rate: £110.40 per week – if help or supervision is needed both day AND night, or if the person is terminally ill under special rules.
What That Means Annually
Lower rate works out to around £3,840 a year.
Higher rate works out to around £5,740 a year.
📍 These figures are current up to at least April 2026, based on official UK government guidance — and rates are reviewed and usually uprated each year.
Link: Gov.uk
You can claim for Attendance Allowance online or by post and can access the claim form here: UK Attendance Allowance Claim Form
Practical support, written agreements and real-world tools.
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Keep reading
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Personal Independence Payment (PIP) & Care Needs
What it is, how it works, and how it can support private care. Personal Independence Payment is a UK benefit designed to help people aged 16 to State Pension age who have long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities.
Direct Payments
How families can use them to arrange their own care. When someone needs help at home, their local council may offer Direct Payments instead of arranging care services on their behalf — giving families more control over who provides care and how it's delivered.