Chris Watts: MSWW, CeMAP
Last verified: 16 August 2025 (England & Wales)
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free, non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who need help because of illness or disability.
Applying can feel daunting – the form is nearly 30 pages long – but the potential benefit is significant. Getting it right can unlock support not only for the applicant, but sometimes for their wider family too.
You may be eligible for Attendance Allowance if you:
Payment levels (from April 2025):
We recently helped a client – we’ll call her Mrs C – who struggled with mobility and needed supervision at night. She had assumed she wouldn’t qualify because her daughter was already helping her.With our support, we carefully documented her actual care needs. Mrs C was awarded the higher rate, giving her an extra £108.55 a week. That extra income not only eased her daily living costs, it also meant she could arrange more outside support and take pressure off her daughter.
Do I need a diagnosis to claim?
No. It’s about your actual care needs, not just a diagnosis.
Does having savings stop me claiming?
No. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so your income and savings don’t matter.
Can it affect my pension or tax?
No. It’s tax-free and does not reduce your State Pension.
What if my condition changes?
If your needs increase, you can reapply for a higher rate.
Is there a time limit on applying?
No – but the sooner you apply, the sooner payments can begin. Claims are usually backdated to when the form was received.
A Blue Badge lets people with significant mobility difficulties park closer to where they need to be. Decisions are made by your local council, and you apply via GOV.UK (the service routes your request to your council).
Fees are set locally: up to £10 in England, £20 in Scotland, and free in Wales.
Badges usually last up to 3 years and you must reapply before expiry.
Who may qualify
What you’ll need to apply
Have these ready to speed things up: a recent passport-style photo, proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of benefits (if you get any). You’ll also need your NI number (if you have one). Councils may invite you to an assessment.
How we can help
If you’d like support, we can guide you through the online form, help you prepare good evidence (for example, how far you can walk, how long it takes, pain, breathlessness, safety risks), and liaise with the council if they ask for more information.
Attendance Allowance is a lifeline benefit for many older people, yet it is often overlooked or misunderstood. If you or a loved one has care needs, checking eligibility could bring in much-needed extra support.
At Fern Wills & LPAs, we can guide you through both Attendance Allowance and Blue Badge applications, helping you present the strongest possible case.
Next step: Contact us for a no-obligation chat about whether you or a family member might qualify.