Attendance Allowance UK 2025/26 Calculator

Attendance Allowance UK 2025/26 — £73.90/week lower rate, £110.40/week higher rate. Eligibility: 65+, disabled, no natio

Quick answer: UK Attendance Allowance 2025/26: £73.90/week (lower rate, day OR night care needs), £110.40/week (higher rate, day AND night). Tax-free. State Pension age + (currently 66+). No NI contribution test.
Mustafa Bilgic
Reviewed by Mustafa Bilgic · UK Calculator Editor ·

Calculator

Attendance Allowance (AA) is a non-means-tested, tax-free benefit for State Pension age individuals with significant disability or illness requiring care. 2025/26 rates: £73.90 (lower) or £110.40 (higher) per week. This calculator helps confirm eligibility and estimate annual amount.

How attendance allowance works in 2025/26

Attendance Allowance 2025/26 weekly rates:

RateWeeklyAnnualEligibility
Lower rate£73.90£3,842.80Needs help during day OR night (not both)
Higher rate£110.40£5,740.80Needs help during day AND night, or terminally ill

Eligibility (must meet ALL):

  • State Pension age (currently 66, rising to 67 by 2028)
  • Have a physical or mental disability
  • Need help with personal care or supervision (or are terminally ill)
  • Have had needs for at least 6 months (unless terminally ill — fast-tracked)
  • Be present and ordinarily resident in UK for 2 of last 3 years

NOT means-tested: Income, savings, partner's income do NOT affect AA. Receiving State Pension does not affect AA. Receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) does — only one of AA/PIP at a time (transition occurs at SP age).

Worked example: 70yo with mobility issues + dementia, higher rate AA

£110.40/week × 52 = £5,740.80/year. Tax-free. On top of State Pension £230.25/week. Total weekly income £340.65 = £17,713/year.

Gross: £5,740.8 → Take-home: £5,740.80/year (£478.40/month)

Worked example: 68yo with arthritis needing daytime help only, lower rate

£73.90/week × 52 = £3,842.80/year. Tax-free. Important: AA can trigger entitlement to Pension Credit Carer Premium (£45.60/week) for spouse who cares.

Gross: £3,842.8 → Take-home: £3,842.80/year (£320.23/month)

Worked example: Terminally ill 75yo, higher rate fast-tracked

Special rules for terminally ill (life expectancy <12 months under DS1500): automatic higher rate £110.40/week. Backdated to date of claim. Tax-free.

Gross: £5,740.8 → Take-home: £5,740.80/year (£478.40/month)

Frequently asked questions

Is Attendance Allowance taxable?
No — AA is completely tax-free, like all major UK disability benefits (PIP, DLA). It does not count towards Personal Allowance or any tax thresholds.
Does AA affect my pension or other benefits?
AA does NOT affect State Pension. AA can INCREASE Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction (treated as additional income for those means-tests, often unlocking more help). It triggers Carer's Allowance for someone caring for you.
How is AA different from PIP?
PIP = under State Pension age. AA = State Pension age and over. Same general principle (disability benefit) but different rates and rules. Existing PIP claimants keep PIP after reaching SP age (don't transition automatically).
Can I claim AA if I'm in a care home?
Yes for first 28 days. After 28 days, AA may stop if your care is local authority-funded. If you self-fund (private fees), AA continues. Hospital stay also stops AA after 28 days.
How long does AA application take?
DWP typical processing 6-12 weeks. Backdated to claim date when approved. Form AA1 is 30+ pages — many find it daunting; Citizens Advice and Age UK provide free help.
Can my partner claim Carer's Allowance for me?
Yes — if your partner provides 35+ hours/week care, they can claim Carer's Allowance £83.30/week (2025/26). Combined household income can substantially increase.
Will AA affect my Universal Credit?
AA is excluded from UC means-test (treated as ignored income). Your UC is unaffected by receiving AA. However, you can't typically be on UC and AA simultaneously as AA requires SP age.

Official UK Sources

Last reviewed: May 2026 against HMRC 2025/26 rates.

Related Calculators

Salary Calculator | Tax Calculator | National Insurance Calculator | Pension Calculator | Vat Calculator