Attendance Allowance cannot be backdated before the date of the claim – which is why the phone call date matters.
Why the call date matters
The claim can start from the date of the call, if the form is returned within 6 weeks. That is the earliest the award can start from – there is no way to backdate it further. Ringing before filling anything in is what sets the date.
Send the form back in time
The form has to be back within 6 weeks of the call to keep that date. Post it to "Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance". No stamp or postcode is needed, and nothing else goes on the envelope.
Carer's Allowance is different
Carer's Allowance can be backdated by up to 3 months.
The special rules don't change this
There is a fast route for someone who might have 12 months or less to live. The usual 6-month wait does not apply, and a doctor or other medical professional fills in a form called SR1. Even under the special rules, the claim itself still cannot be backdated before the date it was made.
What to do next
Ring 0800 731 0122 and ask for the claim form. The claim can start from the date of the call, if the form is returned within 6 weeks. DWP sends a text or letter within 3 weeks to say when to expect a decision. You can apply to DWP directly, and Citizens Advice can help at no cost.
Questions people ask
Can I get paid for the weeks before I claimed?
No. Attendance Allowance only ever starts from the date of the claim. There is no route to claim for a period before that, however strong the need was.
Does calling DWP set the start date, or does the form?
The call does. The claim can start from the date of the call, if the form is returned within 6 weeks. That's why it's worth ringing 0800 731 0122 before filling in anything, rather than starting with the paperwork.
Is Carer's Allowance backdated the same way?
No. Carer's Allowance can be backdated by up to 3 months. It's a separate benefit with its own rules, so check both if someone is also caring for the person claiming.
Sources
Last checked 30 September 2026 against the sources below.