Attendance Allowance is one of the most under-claimed benefits in the UK. It's a tax-free, non-means-tested payment from the DWP for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of a physical or mental health condition. For families in Egham, Staines, Virginia Water and across Surrey, it's often the single easiest way to start funding professional home care.
This guide walks you through who qualifies, the two rates, how to apply, and the practical things to put on the form to give your application the best chance of success.
Who Qualifies
You can usually claim Attendance Allowance if you are State Pension age or over, have a physical disability, mental health condition or long-term illness, and have needed help for at least 6 months. You do not need to actually be receiving help — you only need to *need* it. Many people self-manage and still qualify.
It is not means-tested. Your income, savings and pension do not affect the claim. It is also not affected by whether you own your home or rent.
The Two Rates (2026/27)
There are two weekly rates, currently:
- **Lower rate — £73.90 per week** — paid if you need frequent help or supervision during the day *or* at night.
- **Higher rate — £110.40 per week** — paid if you need help during the day *and* at night, or if you are terminally ill.
That works out at roughly £320–£480 per month, paid directly into your bank account every four weeks. It can be spent on anything that helps you stay independent — most commonly, professional home care visits or contributions toward live-in care.
How to Apply
Applications are made on form **AA1**. You can:
- Download it from gov.uk/attendance-allowance
- Call the Attendance Allowance helpline on **0800 731 0122** to request a paper form
- Get help from Age UK, Citizens Advice or your local carers' centre
The form is long (around 30 pages) but the questions are reasonable. The most important section asks about the help you need with washing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, getting around indoors, taking medication, and staying safe.
Tips That Make a Real Difference
Most successful applications share a few things in common:
- **Describe your worst day, not your best.** Conditions like arthritis, Parkinson's and dementia fluctuate — the DWP wants to understand the help you need on bad days.
- **Be specific about time.** 'I need 20 minutes of help to wash and dress in the morning' is much stronger than 'I need some help washing.'
- **Include night-time needs.** Getting up to use the toilet, repositioning, reassurance during confusion — all count.
- **Mention supervision needs.** Risk of falls, leaving the cooker on, wandering, or forgetting medication all qualify even if no hands-on help is given.
- **Ask your GP or a community nurse to write a supporting letter** — it's not required but it strengthens borderline claims.
How Long Does It Take?
Most decisions arrive within 8–12 weeks. If you're approved, payments are backdated to the date your form was received by the DWP — so post it as soon as it's complete.
Using Attendance Allowance to Fund Home Care
At current rates, the higher rate (£110.40/week) covers around 5 hours of professional home care a week at Reedsfield's standard rate of £22/hour. Many families use it to:
- Fund a daily morning visit for washing, dressing and medication prompts
- Pay for two or three longer visits each week for companionship and shopping
- Top up the cost of live-in care alongside savings or pension income
Attendance Allowance can also unlock other entitlements — including Carer's Allowance for a family member who looks after you, and Council Tax reductions.
What If You're Refused?
Around 40% of initial refusals are overturned on appeal. If you're turned down, you can request a *mandatory reconsideration* within one month, then appeal to an independent tribunal if needed. Citizens Advice and Age UK both offer free help with appeals.
Next Steps
If you'd like to talk through how Attendance Allowance could fund home care for a loved one in Egham, Staines, Sunbury, Shepperton, Ashford or Virginia Water, we're happy to help. Call **01784 740078** for a free, no-obligation chat — we'll explain the options without any pressure.