FAQ and myths
The questions below are the ones advice services hear most often about Attendance Allowance, and the answers are taken from GOV.UK wherever GOV.UK speaks to the point. Where GOV.UK does not speak to a point, this page says so instead of filling the gap with a guess.
"I have savings, so I cannot claim."
Myth. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested. GOV.UK states that what you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you get. A savings account, a private pension, and a comfortable income are all irrelevant to the decision. This is the single most costly myth in this area, because it stops eligible people from claiming at all.
"I have no carer, so I cannot claim."
Myth. GOV.UK states that you do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim. The claim is about the help you need, not the help you receive. If you struggle alone, that need counts.
"I already get State Pension, so I cannot claim."
Myth. State Pension and Attendance Allowance are separate benefits and are received in full alongside each other. Getting Attendance Allowance does not reduce your State Pension, and your State Pension does not reduce Attendance Allowance. The two can also combine with Pension Credit, where the Severe Disability extra may apply.
"Can I work and still claim?"
Attendance Allowance has no work test and no earnings limit: it is not means-tested, and there is no rule that stops you working. In practice most claimants are retired, but the benefit itself does not penalise earnings. Do not confuse this with Carer's Allowance, which does have an earnings limit — that limit applies to the carer, not to the person receiving Attendance Allowance.
"Can both of a couple claim?"
Each person claims Attendance Allowance individually, so where both partners meet the test, each can claim separately. How the Severe Disability extra in Pension Credit then applies to the household calculation is a question for the Pension Service — this site states only the single-person figure (£86.05) from GOV.UK and does not headline a doubled couple figure.
"Will I need an assessment?"
Usually not. Most claims are decided on the form and supporting evidence. An assessment is only arranged where it is unclear how your condition affects you, and you will get a letter saying why and where to go if one is needed. Under the end-of-life special rules, no face-to-face assessment is required at all.
"Does Attendance Allowance cover mobility?"
No. There is no mobility component. If getting around outside the home is the main need, Attendance Allowance is not the benefit that answers it — and at State Pension age, neither is PIP, since new PIP claims close at that age. Describe mobility difficulties on the form only insofar as they relate to personal care and supervision, which is what Attendance Allowance tests.
"I was refused. Is that the end?"
No. You can challenge a decision by asking for mandatory reconsideration. The GOV.UK guide does not state the deadline on its overview page, so check the decision letter for the deadline that applies to your case and act promptly. A refusal is often about how needs were described rather than whether needs exist, so a reconsideration with fuller, concrete detail about bad days is worth making.