Attendance Allowance: You do not have to pay to apply
We recently heard of a pensioner who was contacted out of the blue and told she could receive up to £114.60 a week. The caller said their company could complete the Attendance Allowance application for her.
A little research showed that some businesses charge between £250 and £650 + VAT to help with claims. Others work on a “No Win, No Fee” basis or take a percentage of any award.
Before paying anyone, it’s important to know:
You can apply yourself — for free.
Attendance Allowance (and Scotland’s Pension Age Disability Payment) is a tax-free benefit 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, so savings and income do not affect eligibility.
Current weekly rates (from April 2026):
- Lower rate: £76.70
- Higher rate: £114.60
How to apply yourself
You can:
- You can apply for Attendance Allowance online or by requesting a paper form. The process is free and you do not need to use a paid company.
- For clear, step-by-step guidance, see the Citizens Advice guide on how to claim Attendance Allowance.
- You can also call the official Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 to request a form.
In Scotland, applications for Pension Age Disability Payment are handled by Social Security Scotland.
Free help is available
You do not need to pay a company to help you. Trusted organisations that offer free support include:
- Age UK – 0800 678 1602 (or your local Age UK branch)
- Independent Age – 0800 319 6789
- Citizens Advice – your local branch or the guide linked above
- A friend, relative or carer can also help you complete the form
Advice organisations are clear: you should never need to pay for help with an Attendance Allowance application.
Please share this information with older relatives, friends and neighbours who may benefit. Many people miss out simply because they don’t know the benefit exists or assume they have to pay someone to claim it.
