How Much Is Attendance Allowance in 2026? Weekly, Monthly & Annual Rates
From April 2026, Attendance Allowance is paid at £76.40 per week (lower rate) or £114.10 per week (higher rate). That’s up to £5,933 a year, tax-free, not means-tested, and on top of your pension. Here’s exactly what you’ll receive monthly, weekly, and annually — and how to make sure you’re on the right rate.
Attendance Allowance 2026 rates: £76.40/week lower, £114.10/week higher. Paid every 4 weeks, in arrears, into your bank account. The lower rate pays £305.60 every 4 weeks (£3,972.80/year); the higher rate pays £456.40 every 4 weeks (£5,933.20/year). Not means-tested. Not taxable. Doesn’t affect your pension or other benefits.
2026 Attendance Allowance rates — at a glance
£3,972.80 per year
£5,933.20 per year
These rates apply from 7 April 2026 and stay in place until 6 April 2027, when the next annual uprating happens. The figures come from the DWP Attendance Allowance page and are uprated each April in line with September CPI inflation.
How much do I actually receive each month?
Attendance Allowance is not paid monthly — it’s paid every 4 weeks. So you receive 13 payments per year, not 12. Each payment is the 4-week equivalent of your weekly rate.
| Rate | Weekly | 4-Weekly (the “monthly” payment) | Annual (13 payments) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower rate | £76.40 | £305.60 | £3,972.80 |
| Higher rate | £114.10 | £456.40 | £5,933.20 |
Which rate do I qualify for — lower or higher?
The DWP decides based on when you need help, not on the severity of your condition:
Lower rate (£76.40/week) — you need help during the day or at night
- Frequent help with personal care (washing, dressing, toileting, eating, drinking, taking medication) during the day
- OR you need someone to keep an eye on you at night because you might harm yourself or someone else
- OR you need help with bathing, mobility around the home, or other activities — just not both day and night
Higher rate (£114.10/week) — you need help during the day and at night
- Help with personal care during the day and someone watching over you at night
- OR you have been diagnosed as terminally ill (life expectancy 12 months or less) — you automatically qualify for the higher rate via the “Special Rules for Terminal Illness” (SRTI), with no waiting period and an accelerated claim process
How Attendance Allowance has changed in recent years
The DWP uprates Attendance Allowance every April in line with September CPI inflation. Here’s the trajectory:
| Tax Year | Lower Rate | Higher Rate | Annual Uprating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | £68.10/week | £101.75/week | +10.1% (high inflation) |
| 2024/25 | £72.65/week | £108.55/week | +6.7% |
| 2025/26 | £73.90/week | £110.40/week | +1.7% |
| 2026/27 (current) | £76.40/week | £114.10/week | +3.4% |
If you’ve been receiving Attendance Allowance for a while, your rate increased automatically on 7 April 2026 — you don’t need to do anything to receive the uplift.
Is Attendance Allowance taxed or means-tested?
No, on both counts:
- Not taxable. Attendance Allowance is tax-free income. It doesn’t affect your Personal Allowance or push you into a higher tax band.
- Not means-tested. Your savings, pension, property, and other income are irrelevant. Whether you have £500 or £500,000 in savings, you qualify on care needs alone.
- Doesn’t reduce other benefits. In fact, it can increase them — receiving Attendance Allowance can trigger higher rates of Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, and Carer’s Allowance for a family carer.
- Doesn’t affect your State Pension. You receive both in full.
When and how is the money paid?
- Frequency: Every 4 weeks (13 payments per year), in arrears
- Method: Directly into your bank, building society, or credit union account — or to a nominated representative (such as a family member who manages your finances under Power of Attorney)
- First payment: 4 weeks after your award start date
- Back-payments: Generally none. The award starts from the date the DWP receives your claim form, not from when needs began. Claim as soon as you can.
How long does an Attendance Allowance award last?
Most awards are indefinite — meaning they continue for life unless your circumstances change. The DWP recognises that care needs in older adults rarely improve. Some awards are for a fixed period (often 5 years) if the condition is expected to improve, with renewal required at the end.
Even indefinite awards have a light-touch review every 10 years, mostly a phone call to confirm circumstances. Failing this review only happens if your condition has genuinely improved — which is rare.
How to apply for Attendance Allowance
The simplest route is the DWP claim pack (AA1). You can:
- Order the paper form from the Attendance Allowance helpline: 0800 731 0122
- OR start a claim online at gov.uk
- OR ask Citizens Advice, Age UK, or your local welfare-rights service to help you complete it
Fill in the form carefully — this is where many claims succeed or fail. Focus on what you need help with, not what you currently receive. Describe a typical day, including bad days. Don’t minimise. Get a family member or carer to help, as you may not see your own limitations clearly.
What about Carer’s Allowance for a family member?
If a family member spends 35+ hours a week caring for someone who receives Attendance Allowance, they may qualify for Carer’s Allowance — currently £83.30/week (2026 rate). It’s claimed separately by the carer, not the person being cared for.
One catch: Carer’s Allowance can reduce certain other benefits (like the Severe Disability Premium element of Pension Credit), so always check before claiming. Our full funding guide walks through the trade-offs.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Attendance Allowance per month in 2026?
From April 2026, the lower rate pays £305.60 every 4 weeks (the closest thing to “monthly”), and the higher rate pays £456.40 every 4 weeks. Note: it’s paid every 4 weeks, not every calendar month, so over a year you receive 13 payments.
How much is Attendance Allowance per week in 2026?
£76.40/week (lower rate) or £114.10/week (higher rate). These rates apply from 7 April 2026.
How much is Attendance Allowance per year?
£3,972.80 (lower rate) or £5,933.20 (higher rate) per year. That’s tax-free, on top of your State Pension and other benefits.
Is Attendance Allowance paid weekly or monthly?
Neither — it’s paid every 4 weeks (13 payments per year). The DWP refers to this as the “4-weekly” payment.
Is Attendance Allowance paid in arrears?
Yes. Each 4-weekly payment covers the previous 4 weeks. Your first payment arrives 4 weeks after the start date on your award letter.
Can Attendance Allowance be backdated?
Generally no. The award starts from the date the DWP receives your claim form. The only common exception: if you successfully challenge a previous rejection, the back-payment runs from your original claim date.
How long does Attendance Allowance last?
Most awards are indefinite with a light-touch review every 10 years. Some are fixed-term (often 5 years). Your award letter tells you which applies.
Will my Attendance Allowance go up each year?
Yes, automatically. The DWP uprates rates every April in line with September CPI inflation. The April 2026 increase was 3.4%.
Related guides
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Talk to our care manager → Build my care roadmap →Disclaimer: This guide is for general information. Rates are correct as of 7 April 2026 based on DWP published figures. For up-to-the-minute confirmation, visit gov.uk/attendance-allowance. For tailored advice contact your local Citizens Advice or a SOLLA-accredited later-life adviser. Oath Healthcare does not provide regulated financial advice.