Before you ring
Attendance Allowance is only for people over State Pension age. Attendance Allowance usually needs the help or supervision to have already been needed for about 6 months, unless nearing the end of life, when the wait is skipped.
By phone first
Ring 0800 731 0122 and ask for a claim form. The claim can start from the date of the call, if the form is returned within 6 weeks. So ring before filling in anything else – the date of your call can become the start date of the award, but only if the form comes back within 6 weeks.
The AA1 claim form
The form is called the AA1. DWP can post it to you when you ring, and it is free. You can also download and print it from GOV.UK – see our guide to the AA1 form.
Online
There is also an online form – see our guide to the online form.
Filling it in
Take your time over it. Write down what a bad day looks like, not just a good one – what happens if nobody is there to help. Ask someone who helps regularly to check it before you send it, in case something has been left out.
Sending it back
Post it to "Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance". No stamp or postcode is needed, and nothing else goes on the envelope. It needs to be back within 6 weeks of your call, to keep that call date as the start of the claim.
Backdating
Attendance Allowance cannot be backdated before the date of the claim. That is why the phone call date matters so much.
After you claim
DWP sends a text or letter within 3 weeks to say when to expect a decision. Attendance Allowance is usually paid every 4 weeks into a bank, building society or credit union account.
Questions people ask
Is there a deadline to send the form back?
Yes. The claim can start from the date of the call, if the form is returned within 6 weeks. Sending it back sooner is safer: if it arrives after 6 weeks, the claim can start from a later date instead of your call date.
Can I claim online instead of by phone?
There is an online form as well as the paper one. Ringing first is still worth it, because the call date can become the claim date.
How will I know a decision has been made?
DWP sends a text or letter within 3 weeks to say when to expect a decision.
Does it cost anything to claim?
You can apply to DWP directly, and Citizens Advice can help at no cost.
What if I miss the 6-week window?
The claim can still go in. The claim can start from the date of the call, if the form is returned within 6 weeks. Missing the window can mean the start date moves later, so send the form back as soon as you can.
Sources
Last checked 30 September 2026 against the sources below.