The Short Answer
Yes. GOV.UK says you can apply for Attendance Allowance online or by post. If you apply online, your claim starts on the date you make it. If you post the form, it starts on the date the DWP receives it.
Not everyone can use the online route. Citizens Advice says that if you are applying for someone else as their appointee, deputy or attorney, you need a paper form. Whichever way you apply, the DWP decides on how you describe the help you need.
Checked in October 2026 against GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance, how to claim and Citizens Advice. This guide covers England and Wales.
Can You Apply for Attendance Allowance Online?
Yes. GOV.UK’s “How to claim” page says: “You can apply for Attendance Allowance online or by post.” The online service is run by the DWP on its own service website. Its start page asks what you want to do and offers three choices: make a new claim, tell the DWP about a change in circumstances, or renew a claim. The page marks it as a new service in beta, which means the DWP is still improving it.
The online claim is an alternative to the paper form, not a different benefit. The same eligibility rules apply. You need to be at State Pension age, have a physical or mental disability or health condition that means you need help with personal care or supervision, and have needed that help for at least 6 months, unless you are nearing the end of life. Our guide to what Attendance Allowance is and who can claim it goes through the rules in more detail.
Three Ways to Claim, and When Each Claim Starts
This matters because Attendance Allowance cannot normally be paid for any time before your claim starts. GOV.UK sets out the start date for each route:
| How you claim | When your claim starts |
|---|---|
| Apply online | The date you make your claim |
| Ask the DWP’s Attendance Allowance helpline to post you a paper form | The date of your call, if you return the form within 6 weeks |
| Print the form from GOV.UK and post it | The date the DWP receives it |
In practice, starting the claim early is what protects your money, whichever route you choose. Our guide to Attendance Allowance back pay explains how the start date affects what you are paid.
What You Need Before You Start
GOV.UK says to apply you will need:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your address and contact details
- Details of the disability or health condition that you need extra help for
- Details of your GP surgery or medical centre
- Details of your care home, hospital or hospice, if you are currently staying in one
It also helps to have a list of your medication and a diary of the help you need. Citizens Advice suggests keeping a diary for at least a week before you fill in the form, noting your difficulties, the care or supervision you need, and how long it takes. The diary is useful whether you apply online or on paper. Our guide to filling in the Attendance Allowance form explains what the DWP is looking for in the care-needs answers.
How Long Does the Online Application Take?
GOV.UK does not give a time. A Government Digital Service assessment of the online service, carried out in April 2024 and published in October 2024, said that at that time it did not have a save and return feature. The team had added “check your answers” screens so people could pause, and had improved the messages about a 90 minute time out. That report is dated, so check the service itself for how it works now, but it is a good reason to have everything ready before you start rather than beginning cold.
If you would rather take your time over several days, add pages to your answers, or share the form with a family member, the paper form may suit you better. The notes that come with it say you do not have to fill it in all at once.
Who Cannot Apply Online?
- Appointees, deputies and attorneys. Citizens Advice says that if you are applying for someone else and you are their appointee, deputy or have power of attorney, you need to fill in a paper form and apply by post. You cannot apply online. Our guide to who can fill in the Attendance Allowance form for someone else explains the options
- People nearing the end of life. GOV.UK says there is a different way to claim if you are nearing the end of life, for example because you have a life-limiting illness. This route needs an SR1 form from a doctor or specialist and is covered in the AA1 notes
- People in Northern Ireland. GOV.UK says there is a different way to claim in Northern Ireland
After You Submit: Copies, Evidence and What Happens Next
- Keep a copy. Citizens Advice suggests taking a screenshot or photo of each page of your answers, and printing a summary at the end if you can
- You can still send evidence. Citizens Advice says you can send supporting evidence to the DWP’s Freepost address after you have submitted your claim online. See our guide to what evidence to include in an Attendance Allowance application
- Expect a text or letter. GOV.UK says that after you send your claim you will get a text or letter within 3 weeks explaining when you can expect a decision
- An assessment is not automatic. GOV.UK says you will only need to attend an assessment if it is unclear how your condition affects you
Our guide to how long Attendance Allowance takes covers typical timescales.
Online or Paper: Which Is Better for You?
| Online | Paper | |
|---|---|---|
| Claim start date | The date you make the claim | The date the DWP receives it, or the date of your call if you asked for the form by phone and return it within 6 weeks |
| Postage | None. Extra evidence can be posted afterwards | Freepost, no stamp needed |
| Pace | Best done in one sitting, with everything ready | You can fill it in over several days |
| Sharing with family | Someone can sit beside you at the screen | The form can be passed around, and extra sheets added |
| Who can use it | Not for appointees, deputies and attorneys, per Citizens Advice | Anyone |
Neither route is better for the care-needs section. On paper or online, the DWP wants to know what you find difficult, how often, how long it takes and what could go wrong without help. If typing is hard for you because of arthritis, for example, or you do not use a computer, the post is perfectly acceptable, and GOV.UK still lists it.
Reporting a Change or Renewing Online
The online service start page also lets you tell the DWP about a change in circumstances and renew a claim. If your award has been made for a fixed period, or your needs have changed, our guide to Attendance Allowance renewal explains what to do.
If You Would Rather Not Do It Yourself
Attendance Allowance Services is independent and is not part of the DWP. We are a different route again from either of the two above:
- The eligibility check is free. You speak to a registered Occupational Therapist, with no obligation
- We complete the application for you. Your Occupational Therapist completes and endorses it, and we post it by 1st Class Royal Mail within 4 days for your approval, signature and submission to the DWP
- No fee unless it is successful. Any fee is collected after you receive the backdated payment
- Family members and carers are welcome. We are happy to talk to anyone supporting an applicant
Not sure how to apply?
Free eligibility check, no obligation, and no fee unless the application is successful.
Or call us on 0208 081 4500 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you apply for Attendance Allowance online?
Yes. GOV.UK says you can apply for Attendance Allowance online or by post. The online service is run by the DWP and is marked as a new service in beta. It lets you make a new claim, report a change in circumstances or renew a claim.
When does my claim start if I apply online?
GOV.UK says that if you apply online your claim starts on the date you make your claim. If you print and post the form, it starts on the date the DWP receives it, and if you phone to ask for a form it starts on the date of your call, as long as you return the form within 6 weeks.
What do I need to apply for Attendance Allowance online?
GOV.UK says you will need your National Insurance number, your address and contact details, details of the disability or health condition you need extra help for, details of your GP surgery or medical centre, and details of any care home, hospital or hospice you are staying in. A list of your medication and a diary of your needs also help.
Can I save my online Attendance Allowance application and finish it later?
A government assessment of the service in April 2024 said it did not have a save and return feature at that time and mentioned a 90 minute time out. That information is dated, so check the service itself, and have everything ready before you start. The paper form can be filled in over several days.
Can someone else apply for Attendance Allowance online for me?
Citizens Advice says that if you are applying for someone as their appointee, deputy or attorney you must use a paper form and apply by post. If you are simply helping a relative or friend who can sign for themselves, the claim is made for that person, so read our guide on who can fill in the form for someone else.
What if I cannot use a computer or the online service?
You can still apply by post. GOV.UK says you can print and send the claim form, or request a paper copy from the DWP. You can also ask a relative, friend, adviser or Attendance Allowance Services to help.
Can I send evidence after I apply online?
Yes. Citizens Advice says you can send any supporting evidence to the DWP’s Freepost address after you have submitted your claim online. Keep a copy of your answers, for example by taking screenshots or printing the summary at the end.
How do I report a change or renew Attendance Allowance online?
The online service start page offers options to tell the DWP about a change in circumstances and to renew a claim. If your award has run out, you may need to make a new claim, so read our guide to Attendance Allowance renewal first.
Does Attendance Allowance Services apply online for me?
No. A registered Occupational Therapist completes and endorses your application, and we post it by 1st Class Royal Mail within 4 days for you to approve, sign and submit to the DWP. The eligibility check is free and there is no fee unless the application is successful.