Is Attendance Allowance Means Tested?
No — Attendance Allowance is NOT means tested. This is one of the most important facts about this benefit, and it is one that many people do not realise. Your income, savings, investments, and property assets have absolutely no effect on whether you qualify for Attendance Allowance or how much you receive.
What Does Means Tested Mean?
A means-tested benefit is one where your eligibility or the amount you receive depends on your financial resources — your income and savings. Examples of means-tested benefits include Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and Universal Credit.
Attendance Allowance is not means tested — it is assessed purely on your care needs.
Who Can Claim Regardless of Finances?
Because Attendance Allowance is not means tested, the following people can all claim if they meet the care needs criteria:
- People with significant savings or investments
- People who own their own home outright
- People with a pension or investment income
- People who receive other benefits
- People who are employed (rare at this age, but possible)
The Only Criteria That Matter
The only criteria for Attendance Allowance are:
- Age: 66 or over
- Residency: Habitually resident in England, Scotland, or Wales
- Care needs: Needing help with personal care or supervision due to disability for at least 6 months
Does Attendance Allowance Affect Other Benefits?
While receiving Attendance Allowance does not reduce other means-tested benefits, it can actually increase them. Specifically, receiving Attendance Allowance may add a 'severe disability' premium to your Pension Credit calculation, increasing your overall benefit entitlements.
Do Not Let False Assumptions Stop You Claiming
Every year, hundreds of thousands of eligible people fail to claim Attendance Allowance because they wrongly assume they will not qualify due to their financial position. Do not let this happen to you. Contact Elder Care for a free, no-obligation eligibility check.