Written by Oliver Wakefield-Smith. Reviewed for accuracy against the Homecare Association's 2026/27 minimum-price report and Age UK's 2026 factsheets. Numbers verified 21 June 2026.
Attendance Allowance and home care: £73.90 or £110.40 a week
Attendance Allowance is the single most underclaimed benefit in adult social care. It pays £73.90/wk at the lower rate or £110.40/wk at the higher rate in 2026/27, is not means-tested, and can be spent on whatever the buyer chooses[6].
Who qualifies
- State Pension age or over.
- A physical or mental disability that means you need help with personal care or supervision.
- Have needed that help for at least six months (waived for terminal illness via Fast Track DS1500/SR1).
The two rates
- Lower rate (£73.90/wk): frequent help or constant supervision through the day, or supervision through the night.
- Higher rate (£110.40/wk): help or supervision through both the day and the night, or a terminal illness.
How it interacts with the means test
For non-residential care in England, most councils disregard Attendance Allowance entirely when calculating the assessed weekly contribution[3]. The buyer gets to keep it in addition to whatever the council pays.