Don’t Miss Out: What You Need to Know About Attendance Allowance

At Thrive Homecare, we believe everyone deserves the support they need to live well – without added financial worry. One benefit that many families don’t realise they may be entitled to is Attendance Allowance. Whether you’re arranging support for yourself or for the person you love, this simple, non-means-tested benefit could make a real difference.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people over State Pension age (currently 66) who have a disability or health condition that means they need help with personal care or supervision with the following tasks - dressing, eating, taking medication or staying safe.

Many of the people we support at Thrive are eligible – even if they’re privately funding their care, own their own home, or have substantial savings.

How Much Can You Get?

There are two weekly rates, depending on the level of support needed:

• £72.65 per week if you need help during the day or at night

• £108.55 per week if you need help during the day and at night, or if you’re terminally ill

That’s up to £5,644.60 a year – and it can be used towards anything that helps you live more comfortably at home, such as homecare, equipment, or wellbeing activities.

Who Can Claim?

To qualify, you must:

• Be over State Pension age (currently 66)

• Have a disability or health condition that requires care or supervision

• Have needed that support for at least 6 months (unless you're terminally ill)

• Be living in the UK and not already receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

And crucially – your income, savings, or whether you own your home do not affect your eligibility. That’s a big misconception. Attendance Allowance is about your needs, not your finances.

Common Conditions That May Qualify

It’s not just for people with physical disabilities. Many Thrive clients with the following conditions successfully claim:

• Dementia or memory loss

• Arthritis or mobility issues

• Sensory impairments (sight or hearing loss)

• Parkinson’s

• Stroke after-effects

• Mental health conditions like anxiety or depression

Even if you’re not currently receiving formal care, but a family member is supporting you at home, you may still qualify.

How Do You Apply?

You can apply online or by post using the Attendance Allowance form from the gov.uk website:

➡️ Apply for Attendance Allowance – GOV.UK

It’s helpful to include detailed examples of how your condition affects your daily life. Thrive can support you or your family to complete the form if needed – just get in touch.