Attendance Allowance: Financial Support for Older Adults Who Need Extra Help
Many families don’t realise financial support may be available until they’re already struggling. Perhaps your parent is becoming less steady on their feet. Maybe they need help managing medications, washing, dressing or staying safe at home.
Or perhaps you’ve quietly taken on more caring responsibilities over time and are only now discovering there may be financial support available. Attendance Allowance is one of the most overlooked benefits for older adults in the UK, yet it can make a significant difference to quality of life, independence and support at home.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who need help due to illness, disability or long-term health conditions.
It is designed to support older adults who need assistance with:
- Personal care
- Staying safe
- Supervision or support
- Daily living activities
Importantly, you do not need to have a formal carer to claim Attendance Allowance.
Many people living independently at home may still qualify.
Who Can Claim Attendance Allowance?
You may be eligible if:
- You are over State Pension age
- You have a physical or mental disability or illness
- You need help with personal care or supervision
- You have needed support for at least 6 months
This includes people living with:
- Arthritis
- Dementia
- Parkinson’s
- Mobility problems
- Sight or hearing loss
- Frailty or falls risk
Many older adults wrongly assume they are “not ill enough” to apply.
But Attendance Allowance is based on the help you need, not a diagnosis alone.
What Can Attendance Allowance Help With?
Attendance Allowance can help older adults remain safer and more independent at home.
Families often use it to help with:
- Home care support Transport costs
- Personal alarms
- Mobility aids
- Household help
- Additional heating or utility costs
For many carers, the extra financial support also reduces stress and helps make caring more sustainable.
Why Families Often Delay Applying
Many people delay claiming Attendance Allowance because:
- They don’t know it exists
- They think they won’t qualify
- Forms feel overwhelming
- They don’t see themselves as “needing care”
Often, support is only explored after a hospital stay, fall or health crisis.
But applying earlier can help older adults stay independent for longer and reduce pressure on families.
How to Apply for Attendance Allowance
Applications can be made online or by requesting a form from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
When completing the form:
- Be honest about difficulties
- Include bad days, not just good days
- Mention safety concerns and supervision needs
- Explain how long tasks take Include support from family members
Many families find it helpful to keep notes for several days before completing the application.
How Myra Can Help
The Myra app helps older adults and carers access trusted information around later life support, hospital discharge and care at home.
Myra’s Care Guides are designed to help families feel more informed, prepared and confident when navigating care and financial support options.
The right support, information and guidance can make a huge difference, both for older adults and for the people caring for them.
Explore more support, guidance and care resources with the Myra app and Myra Care Guides.
Visit Google Play or App Store and search Myra- My Resources App
