Quick answer: Attendance Allowance is a tax-free UK benefit for people who have reached State Pension age and need help with personal care, or supervision for safety, because of a disability or long-term condition such as arthritis. It is not means-tested. Rates and rules change — always check GOV.UK before you claim.
If arthritis makes washing, dressing, transferring, toilet trips or night-time care harder — or someone needs to watch over you because of falls risk or confusion — Attendance Allowance may be relevant once you are over State Pension age. It sits alongside (and is different from) Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is usually for working-age adults.
What Attendance Allowance is for
Attendance Allowance helps with the extra costs of needing care or supervision. You do not have to spend it on a paid carer. Many people use it for taxis to appointments, laundry, heating, ready meals, or paying a relative to help. Getting it can also unlock other help (for example some council support or Carer's Allowance for someone who looks after you) — check GOV.UK for current knock-on effects.
- Lower rate — frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night
- Higher rate — help or supervision both day and night, or a terminal-illness special rule
Exact rates change; use the GOV.UK Attendance Allowance pages for the current figures.
Who can usually claim
In broad terms (England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Scotland has related rules that may differ), you can claim if you:
- Have reached State Pension age
- Have a disability or health condition (arthritis counts when it creates care or supervision needs)
- Have needed help or supervision for at least six months (unless a special rule for terminal illness applies)
- Are in Great Britain (or meet presence rules) and not subject to immigration control that blocks the claim
You usually cannot get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care/daily living components. If you are under State Pension age, start with our disability benefits FAQ and PIP for arthritis (UK guide) guide instead.
How arthritis care needs show up on the form
Assessors look at the help you need, not only what you currently get. Describe a typical bad week — including flare days — not your best Tuesday. Useful points for arthritis:
- Help with washing, dressing, buttons, socks, shoes and hair care when hands, shoulders or spine are stiff
- Transfers: bed, chair, toilet, bath or shower — including rails, frames or a second person
- Night waking for pain, toilet trips, or repositioning stiff joints
- Supervision for falls risk, medication timing, or getting stuck on the floor
- Extra time and fatigue after morning stiffness; boom-and-bust after overdoing chores
Keep a short diary for two weeks (similar idea to our PIP evidence diary): what help you needed, how long it took, and whether someone had to stay nearby. Pair this with joint protection for everyday tasks ideas so you are managing risk while the claim is decided.
How to claim
- Read GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance for eligibility and rates
- Apply online where available, or by post using the official claim form
- Use the Attendance Allowance helpline on GOV.UK if you need a form posted or help completing it
- Send supporting evidence if you have it (GP summary, rheumatology letters, OT reports) — but do not delay the claim waiting for perfect paperwork
Decisions can take time. If your care needs increase while you wait, keep notes so you can update DWP.
Carers, PIP and other benefits nearby
- Someone who cares for you 35+ hours a week may look at Carer's Allowance (or Carer Support Payment in Scotland) if you get the right rate of Attendance Allowance
- They can also ask for a free carer's assessment from the local council
- If you are still under State Pension age, PIP daily living/mobility is the usual route — see the Benefits & PIP hub
Living With Arthritis will not tell you that you will qualify. Rules change and every claim is individual. We will tell you that honest functional evidence — the help you need on bad days — is what decision-makers need.
Frequently asked questions
Is Attendance Allowance means-tested?
No. Savings and income do not usually stop a claim, though other benefits can interact. Check GOV.UK for your situation.
Do I need a formal carer?
No. Needing help or supervision is enough — even if family provide it unpaid, or you struggle alone.
What if I already get PIP?
You generally cannot get Attendance Allowance and PIP together. When you reach State Pension age on PIP, different transition rules may apply — follow GOV.UK guidance for your case.
Does a diagnosis alone win the claim?
No. Focus on care and supervision needs caused by arthritis (and any other conditions), not the label alone.
Sources and further reading
- GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance
- GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance eligibility
- GOV.UK: Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- NHS: Osteoarthritis
- NICE NG226: Osteoarthritis in over 16s
Educational information for people in the United Kingdom — not personal legal, benefits or medical advice. Charity no. 1218461. Reviewed by Louis Maxwell, HCPC PH128483. Everyone's situation is different, so always follow the advice of your own GP, pharmacist or rheumatology team. If you feel very unwell, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent advice, contact NHS 111.
Continue with related help
- Benefits & PIP hub — daily living and mobility support overview
- Disability benefits FAQ — PIP, ADP and related UK support
- PIP for arthritis (UK guide) — functional evidence tips if you are under State Pension age
- Carer's Allowance — money help if someone cares for you 35+ hours
- Carer's assessment — free council assessment for carers
- PIP evidence diary — diary habit that also helps Attendance Allowance forms
- Newly diagnosed — first weeks after a diagnosis
- Arthritis pain relief — pacing and self-management
- Joint protection — easier everyday tasks while you wait