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Attendance Allowance Criteria
updated 31/03/08

In this section we give only an outline of AA, because the rules are almost exactly the same as for the Disability Living Allowance Care component at the middle or highest rate.
(Below, we give the key differences between AA and DLA).

Attendance allowance (AA) is a tax-free benefit for people aged 65 and over who are physically or mentally disabled and need help with personal care or need supervision to remain safe. You do not actually have to be getting any help. It is the help you need that is relevant, not what you get. You can get AA even if you live alone, you do not need to have a carer. It is not means tested, there are no National Insurance contribution tests, and it is paid in addition to other money in most circumstances.

DO YOU QUALIFY?

You must meet the following conditions:

  • You are aged 65 or over; and
  • You pass the residence and presence test; and are not subject to immigration control.
  • You satisfy one of the disability tests and have done so for the last 6 months.
    or
  • You are terminally ill.

If you have not yet reached your 65th birthday you should claim DLA instead.

DLA OR ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE?

You cannot claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for the first time after you reach your 65th birthday.

Once you are 65, you must claim AA instead.

If you already get DLA mobility component, however, you can claim DLA care component (at the middle or highest rate) rather than AA.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?

The main differences between AA and DLA care component are:

  • AA has no £17.75 lower rate for part-time care needs or for the 'cooking test'
  • AA has a backward qualifying period of 6 months in all cases
  • AA has no forwards qualifying period.

The DLA care component, apart from its £17.75 lowest rate (which has no equivalent in AA), is almost exactly the same as AA.
The disability tests for the lower and higher rate of AA and for the middle and highest rate of DLA care component is exactly the same, as is the amount payable.

The two rates are as follows:

  • Lower Rate: £44.85
  • Higher Rate: £67.00

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