Attendance Allowance Rates 2023 | How Much You’ll Get

In line with inflation, Attendance Allowance rates increased by 10.1% in April 2023.

You could be eligible for Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached the State Pension age and have a disability, medical condition or illness that affects you and your ability to live independently on a day-to-day basis.

Here, we’ve explained the Attendance Allowance rates for 2023/2024, along with how much they’ve increased, whether you’re eligible, which rate you’ll get (depending on how much care and support you need) and how to claim.

In this article:

1. Attendance Allowance rates for 2023/2024
2. How much have Attendance Allowance rates increased in 2023?
3. How is Attendance Allowance paid?
4. How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
5. Benefit cap
6. Who is eligible for Attendance Allowance?
7. How to claim

Attendance Allowance Rates For 2023/2024

Attendance Allowance is comprised of two different rates. How much Attendance Allowance you receive depends on the following:

• How much difficulty you have on a daily basis
• How much care or supervision you require (such as personal care)
• Whether you need help during the day, at night or both

These two rates are:

• Higher rate - If you need frequent care or supervision during the day and at night, or you have a terminal illness
• Lower rate - If you need frequent care or supervision during the day or at night

Here are the Attendance Allowance rates for 2023/2024, along with how much they’ve increased since 2022/2023:

How Much Have Attendance Allowance Rates Increased In 2023?

In April 2023, Attendance Allowance rates rose by 10.1%, in line with inflation. This increase also happened to other DWP disability and means-tested benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

As a result, Attendance Allowance increased by the following amounts per week from 2022 to 2023:

• Higher rate = £9.35
• Lower rate = £6.25

How Is Attendance Allowance Paid?

Attendance Allowance will be paid straight into your bank or building society account every four weeks.

This money can be spent however you wish, such as to help you remain independent in your own home for longer.

Attendance Allowance is usually paid for a minimum of six months. This could be longer if you still have extra care needs after this point.

How Does Attendance Allowance Affect Other Benefits?

If you begin receiving Attendance Allowance, you may be eligible for additional benefits or credits as a result. You may be eligible for the following:

• Extra Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Reduction

Attendance Allowance is tax-free, so it isn’t considered income when working out any other benefits, meaning none of the other benefits you already receive will be affected.

You should let any organisations who pay your other benefits know that you’re now claiming Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance Benefit Cap

The Benefit Cap is the maximum amount of benefits you can receive. Just like DWP disability benefits, this increased by 10.1% in April 2023.

However, the Benefit Cap only applies to people of working age. As Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people above the State Pension age, it doesn’t apply to people who receive Attendance Allowance.

If you or your partner receive Attendance Allowance, you’ll be excluded from the Benefit Cap.

Who Is Eligible For Attendance Allowance?

You’ll be eligible for Attendance Allowance if you:

• Have reached the State Pension age
• Require frequent care and supervision as a result of a disability, medical condition or illness and have needed this care and supervision for at least six months

If you’re under the State Pension age, you may instead be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

How To Claim Attendance Allowance

To claim this disability benefit, you’ll need to fill in an Attendance Allowance claim form. To get a form, you can either:

• Call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0880 731 0122
• Download a claim form through GOV.UK

If you call and your claim is successful, your claim will begin from the date you made the call.

If you choose to download and post your claim form and this claim is successful, your claim will begin from the date this postal form is received.

When filling out this form, provide as much information as possible about your condition and how it affects you on a daily basis, including specific difficulties or symptoms. We have a guide explaining Attendance Allowance pitfalls you should avoid and what to include, to ensure your claim is successful.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) may then get in touch for further information, or they might have a doctor visit you for a formal assessment.

Finally, you’ll receive a letter explaining whether your claim has been successful, how much you’ll get, and from what date.

We’re on a mission to support individuals and their loved ones throughout each stage of their later living journey. For more information, check out everything Lottie has to offer.