Attendance Allowance payments are set to increase to £474.40 every four weeks from April 2027, following the annual benefits uprating. The rise is based on September's Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate of 3.5 per cent, as confirmed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Wednesday.
Under existing legislation, disability benefits including Attendance Allowance are uprated each April in line with September's CPI inflation figure. Chancellor John Healey is expected to confirm the new State Pension and benefit payment rates at the autumn Budget on October 28.
New Payment Rates from April 2027
Attendance Allowance is paid every four weeks, rather than monthly. Applying the 3.5 per cent increase and rounding to the nearest 5p, the estimated new payment rates from April 2027 would be:
- Lower rate: £79.40 per week, £317.60 every four weeks (currently £76.70 and £306.80)
- Higher rate: £118.60 per week, £474.40 every four weeks (currently £114.60 and £458.40)
This would mean an increase of £10.80 or £16 every four-week payment period - depending on the award - over the 2027/28 financial year.
Eligibility and How to Claim
Attendance Allowance currently provides either £76.70 or £114.60 per week to people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of a disability or long-term health condition. The benefit is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for people in England and Wales.
In Scotland, new claimants should apply for Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), which is administered by Social Security Scotland. PADP currently provides the same weekly payment rates as Attendance Allowance. However, the Scottish Government determines the annual uprating of devolved benefits and has not yet confirmed the PADP rates for 2027/28.
Neither benefit is means-tested, meaning someone's income, savings or State Pension payments will not prevent them from qualifying. People do not need to have a carer or already be receiving help with personal care to make a claim. Eligibility is based on the level of assistance or supervision they need because of their condition.
Who Can Claim and What It Covers
You should apply for Attendance Allowance or PADP if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night - even if you don't currently get that help. This might include help with personal care, such as getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet, or help to stay safe.
You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn't just for people with a physical disability or illness. You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have a mental health condition, learning difficulties, or a sensory condition such as being deaf or visually impaired.
The money can be spent however you like and could help you stay independent in your own home for longer. This might include paying for taxis, helping towards bills, or paying for a cleaner or gardener.
Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested, so it doesn't matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings - there's no limit. It is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap. It won't affect your State Pension, and you can claim it even if you're still working and earning money. Other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, including Extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit Reduction, and Council Tax Reduction.
To make a claim, you will need to complete a long claim form. Help is available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age. Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website.
You cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you live in Scotland; you will need to claim the new devolved benefit Pension Age Disability Payment instead. You also won't be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to pay for your care. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while getting DLA, the DWP will usually reassess your DLA award instead.
In Scotland, you can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment online, by phone or post. Full details can be found on the MYGOV.SCOT website. The Social Security Independent Advocacy Service, funded by the Scottish Government, provides support for disabled people to understand their rights and apply for devolved benefits. Advice Direct Scotland is the new provider of this service through their dedicated platform advocacy.scot, and can be contacted by calling 0808 196 8901 or emailing support@advocacy.scot.
