UK Citizens Can Now Claim £5,644 from DWP – Know If You’re Eligible

If you’re aged 66 or over and need help with daily care due to illness or disability, you could be missing out on a benefit worth up to £5,644 a year. Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested payment provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), designed to support older adults with long-term health needs.

Whether you live alone or have a carer, this guide will help you know who qualifies, how to apply, and what extra support you could receive.

Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a financial lifeline for many older people, yet it’s one of the most underclaimed benefits in the UK. It helps with personal care needs caused by physical or mental health issues. The good news? You don’t need to be receiving formal care to qualify—you simply have to show that you need help.

This benefit is entirely tax-free and not based on your income or savings. It also won’t affect your State Pension. Better yet, receiving it could unlock additional support such as Pension Credit or Housing Benefit.

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Eligibility

To qualify for Attendance Allowance, you must meet the following conditions:

• Be aged 66 or over (State Pension age)
• Have a physical or mental disability, including sensory conditions like blindness, dementia, or hearing loss
• Need help with personal care (like getting dressed or managing medication) or require supervision to stay safe
• Have needed this help for at least 6 months
• Have lived in Great Britain for at least 2 of the last 3 years

If you are terminally ill, you don’t need to wait 6 months—there are Special Rules that allow you to claim immediately.

Amount

There are two different rates depending on your needs:

You’ll get the lower rate if you need help during the day or night. The higher rate applies if you need support both day and night, or if you’re terminally ill.

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Apply

Applying is simple—but it’s important to be thorough. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Request the form

Call the DWP on 0800 731 0122 to request a printed application form.
Or download it from GOV.UK.

Complete the form

• Describe in detail how your condition affects your daily life
• Include examples: Do you struggle with cooking? Dressing? Taking medication?
• Mention supervision needs (for example, dementia or epilepsy risks)
• Attach relevant medical documents if available

Post it back

Send it to: Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance
No stamp or postcode needed.

Await decision

• A medical assessment may be required
• Decisions usually take up to 8 weeks

Examples

Margaret, 78
Lives alone with arthritis. She doesn’t have a carer but struggles with dressing and preparing meals. She receives the lower rate of over £3,700 per year.

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John, 82
Has dementia and requires supervision day and night. His daughter cares for him full-time. John now receives the higher rate, and his daughter qualifies for Carer’s Allowance.

Carers

If someone looks after you for at least 35 hours a week, they may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance worth £81.90 per week.

Carer eligibility:

• Must be 16 or older
• Can’t earn more than £139 per week (after tax)
• Cannot be in full-time education

Carer’s Allowance can be claimed separately, and it can provide financial stability for those offering regular support.

Benefits

Getting Attendance Allowance can increase your entitlement to other benefits, including:

• Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Reduction
• Warm Home Discount Scheme
• Free TV licence (if you’re over 75 and on Pension Credit)

Even if you’re unsure, it’s worth applying—many people are awarded the benefit after a reassessment or appeal. Don’t miss out on support that can make daily life more manageable and less stressful.

FAQs