Complete Guide  ·  May 2025

What is Attendance Allowance and Who Qualifies?

Attendance Allowance is a UK government benefit designed to help older people with the extra costs of living with a disability or long-term health condition. It is one of the most generous non-means-tested benefits available — and one of the least claimed by people who are entitled to it.

The key facts

• Tax-free — you keep every penny
• Not means-tested — savings and income don't matter
• Not affected by State Pension — you receive both
• Exportable — paid to eligible expats living in the EU

Who qualifies?

To receive Attendance Allowance you must:

• Be aged 65 or over
• Have a physical or mental disability or illness
• Have needed help or supervision for at least 6 months
• Be habitually resident in the UK, EU, EEA or an eligible country

Attendance Allowance is not a contributory benefit — you do not need a minimum number of National Insurance contributions to qualify. This surprises many people who assume their claim depends on their NI record.

Common qualifying conditions

Many conditions that affect daily life can qualify, including:

• Arthritis and joint conditions
• Heart disease and respiratory conditions
• Stroke and its after-effects
• Parkinson's disease
• Dementia and cognitive decline
• Diabetes and its complications
• Cancer and the effects of treatment
• Visual or hearing impairment
• Severe anxiety or depression

Can expats claim?

Yes — if you moved to an EU country before 31 December 2020, you are covered by the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement and retain the right to claim Attendance Allowance. Spain, France, Portugal, Cyprus, Malta, Italy and all other EU member states are covered.

The application process

The AA application form is 36 pages long and requires detailed descriptions of how your condition affects your daily life. The DWP assesses your claim based on your care needs — not your diagnosis. This is why how the form is completed makes an enormous difference to the outcome.

Many people who complete the form themselves receive a lower award or are rejected — not because they don't qualify, but because they have underplayed the impact of their condition. At Reginald Barry, we know exactly what the DWP needs and how to present your case in the strongest possible way.

What about backdated payments?

Attendance Allowance is backdated to the date of your application — not to when your condition started. This means the sooner you apply, the sooner your payments begin. There is no upper limit on how long you can receive the benefit, and it is reviewed periodically rather than being time-limited.

If you have been entitled for several years but never claimed, those years are unfortunately lost — there is no backdating beyond your application date. This is why we encourage people to get in touch as soon as possible.