Is Attendance Allowance Paid in Arrears?

Is Attendance Allowance Paid in Arrears?

Introduction: The short answer is yes — and it matters for your cash flow

If you are asking is Attendance Allowance paid in arrears, you are not alone. This is one of the most common questions from people approaching State Pension age with care needs. This independent guide explains exactly how Attendance Allowance payments work, when your first payment lands, and why the timing matters.

Quick answer: Yes, Attendance Allowance is paid in arrears. This means you receive payment after the period it covers, not before. Payments are usually made every 4 weeks directly into your bank account. If you are awarded the lower rate (£76.70 a week), you receive £306.80 per payment. The higher rate (£114.60 a week) pays £458.40 per payment.

Disclaimer: This is an independent informational website. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the DWP, HMRC, any UK government body or local council. Information is for general guidance only and is not financial or legal advice. Always check GOV.UK for the latest official information.

[LAST CHECKED: 9 October 2026]

Who can claim Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is for people who have reached State Pension age and need help with personal care or supervision because of a disability or health condition. It is not means-tested — your income and savings do not affect it.

You may be able to claim if you:

• Have reached State Pension age (currently 66)

• Need help with personal care during the day or night (lower rate), or both day and night (higher rate)

• Have needed this help for at least 6 months (unless you are terminally ill)

• Live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland

Nation differences: Scotland has replaced Attendance Allowance with the Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) , administered by Social Security Scotland. The rates are the same as Attendance Allowance for now — £76.70 and £114.60 a week — and PADP is also paid in arrears. [VERIFY: current PADP payment schedule on mygov.scot].

End of section. For more on eligibility, see our guide to Attendance Allowance Eligibility.

How much could you get? (2026/27 rates)

These rates apply from April 2026 to April 2027.

Warning: The higher rate works out to £5,959 a year. If you are terminally ill and expected to live 12 months or less, you can claim the higher rate straight away under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness. You do not need to wait 6 months.

End of section. For a full breakdown, see our guide to Attendance Allowance Rates 2026/27.

How the arrears payment cycle works

Why it is paid in arrears

Attendance Allowance is paid in arrears because the DWP needs to confirm you met the conditions for each period. This is different from some benefits, like the State Pension, which can be paid in advance. The arrears system applies to both Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment in Scotland.

Your first payment

After your claim is approved, you receive a decision letter confirming your rate, start date, and payment schedule. Your first payment covers the period from your claim start date up to the payment date. Because of this, your first payment may be larger than a normal 4-week payment if there is a gap between your claim date and the first payment cycle.

Ongoing payments

After the first payment, you receive a standard 4-week payment on the same day each cycle. Payment dates are usually Monday or Tuesday, depending on your National Insurance number and claim start date.

Documents you’ll need — checklist

• □ 

  Your National Insurance number

• □ 

  Your bank, building society or credit union account details (sort code and account number)

• □ 

  Details of your health condition and how it affects your daily life

• □ 

  Contact details for your GP surgery or medical centre

• □ 

  Your decision letter once your claim is approved

End of section. For more on the claim process, see our guide to How to Claim Attendance Allowance.

How to apply for Attendance Allowance

Step 1: Call the Attendance Allowance helpline

Ring 0800 731 0122 to request a claim form. Do this first — your claim can be backdated to the date you called, as long as you return the form within 6 weeks. The helpline is free.

Step 2: Complete the claim form (AA1)

The form asks about your care needs — how your condition affects you during the day and night. Be specific and honest. Describe the help you need, not just the help you currently receive.

Step 3: Gather supporting evidence

Send copies of care plans, discharge summaries, consultant reports, or GP letters with your form. The decision is based mainly on your form and supporting documents.

Step 4: Return the form within 6 weeks

Post it to the Attendance Allowance Unit. If you applied online, you must print and post the form — online applications are not backdated.

Step 5: Wait for the decision

Processing times vary. You will receive a decision letter confirming whether you have been awarded the lower or higher rate, and your payment start date. [VERIFY: current processing times on GOV.UK].

End of section. For help filling in the form, see our guide to Attendance Allowance Form Help.

Common mistakes that delay or reduce payments

Applying online instead of by phone. If you download and post the form yourself, your claim will not be backdated. Calling the helpline first preserves your claim date. This can mean missing out on weeks or months of payments.

Returning the form late. You have 6 weeks from the date you requested the form. If you miss this deadline, your claim is treated as a new claim from the date the form is received — you lose the backdating.

Not providing enough detail about your care needs. The decision-maker does not know you. Describe your worst days, not your best days. Explain how long tasks take, whether they cause pain, and whether you need supervision to stay safe.

Assuming you will not qualify because you have savings or income. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested. Your income and savings do not matter.

Forgetting to report a move into a care home. Attendance Allowance usually stops after 28 days in a care home if your care is funded by the council. Tell the DWP straight away if your circumstances change.

End of section. If your payment stops unexpectedly, see our guide to Attendance Allowance Payment Problems.

What happens after you apply?

Timelines: Once approved, your decision letter confirms your rate and start date. Your first payment covers the period from your claim date. [VERIFY: current processing times on GOV.UK].

How payments work: Payments go directly into your bank, building society, or credit union account every 4 weeks in arrears. You can choose a different account if your circumstances change.

If you disagree with the decision: You can ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the decision date. If you are still unhappy, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. [VERIFY: current appeal time limits on GOV.UK].

If you live in Scotland: Your claim is handled by Social Security Scotland, not the DWP. PADP has its own re-determination and appeal process. [VERIFY: current PADP appeal process on mygov.scot].

End of section. For appeals, see our Mandatory Reconsideration Guide.

Related support you might be missing

• Pension Credit: If you get Attendance Allowance and have a low income, you may be able to get Pension Credit with a severe disability addition of £86.05 a week. This is paid on top of your basic Pension Credit.

• Carer’s Allowance: If someone cares for you for at least 35 hours a week, they may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance. [VERIFY: current rate and earnings limit on GOV.UK].

• Council Tax Reduction: Getting Attendance Allowance can increase your entitlement to Council Tax Reduction or Housing Benefit.

• Scottish Child Payment (Scotland): If you have a child under 16 and live in Scotland, you may be able to get an extra £28.20 per week per child. [VERIFY: current rate on mygov.scot].

Quick summary checklist

• Attendance Allowance is paid in arrears every 4 weeks.

• Call 0800 731 0122 first to preserve your backdating.

• Return your form within 6 weeks.

• Lower rate pays £306.80 per 4-week payment.

• Higher rate pays £458.40 per 4-week payment.

• In Scotland, claim Pension Age Disability Payment instead.

• Getting Attendance Allowance can increase other benefits.

FAQs

Is Attendance Allowance paid weekly or every 4 weeks?
Attendance Allowance is usually paid every 4 weeks in arrears. The lower rate pays £306.80 per payment; the higher rate pays £458.40. You can ask for a different payment frequency in some circumstances, but 4-weekly is standard.

How long does it take to get the first Attendance Allowance payment?
After your claim is approved, your first payment covers the period from your claim date to the first payment cycle. Because of this, your first payment may be larger than a standard 4-week amount. [VERIFY: current processing times on GOV.UK].

Can I get Attendance Allowance backdated?
Your claim can be backdated to the date you called the helpline for a form, provided you return it within 6 weeks. If you download and post the form yourself, your claim is not backdated.

Does Attendance Allowance stop if I go into a care home?
Usually, yes. Attendance Allowance stops after 28 days in a care home if your care is funded by the council. If you pay for all your care costs yourself, you may continue to receive it. Tell the DWP immediately if your circumstances change.

Is Attendance Allowance paid in arrears in Scotland?
Yes. Scotland’s replacement, the Pension Age Disability Payment, is also paid in arrears. The rates are the same as Attendance Allowance — £76.70 and £114.60 a week — and it is administered by Social Security Scotland.

Conclusion

Attendance Allowance is paid in arrears — you receive payment after the period it covers. The standard payment cycle is every 4 weeks, paying £306.80 at the lower rate or £458.40 at the higher rate. The key thing to remember is to call the helpline first on 0800 731 0122 to preserve your backdating, and return your form within 6 weeks. If you live in Scotland, you need to claim Pension Age Disability Payment instead.

For more help, see our guides to Attendance Allowance Rates 2026/27, How to Claim Attendance Allowance, and Pension Age Disability Payment Scotland.