How Attendance Allowance Back Pay Works
When your Attendance Allowance claim is approved, your claim is backdated to when your form is initially scanned by the DWP. Because the DWP takes time to process applications, this often results in a lump sum payment covering the weeks between your claim date and the decision.
This backdated payment can be a significant amount. At the higher rate of £114.60 per week, just 6 weeks of processing time means a lump sum of £687.60. If your claim takes 12 weeks to process, that rises to £1,375.20.
Understanding how backdating works – and how to maximise it – can make a real financial difference.
Your Claim Date – When Back Pay Starts
The key date is your “date of claim”. This is not the date you were assessed or awarded the benefit. It is the date the DWP received and subsequently scan your form onto their system
How the claim date is set depends on how you apply:
| How You Apply | Your Claim Date Is |
|---|---|
| Health Professional Support 0208 081 4500 | The date of your call (if you return the form within 6 weeks) |
| Apply online | The date you submit the online claim |
| Download and post the form | The date the DWP receives your completed form |
Important tip: if you download and submit a handwritten form to the DWP it will take longer to process as a human needs to enter the data into their system.
How Much Could Your Back Pay Be?
The amount depends on two things: the rate you are awarded and how long it takes the DWP to process your claim.
| Processing Time | Lower Rate Back Pay | Higher Rate Back Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks | £306.80 | £458.40 |
| 6 weeks | £460.20 | £687.60 |
| 8 weeks | £613.60 | £916.80 |
| 12 weeks | £920.40 | £1,375.20 |
This lump sum is paid directly into your bank account, usually within 2 weeks of the decision. After that, Attendance Allowance is paid every 4 weeks.
To understand typical timelines, see our guide on how long Attendance Allowance takes to process.
How Long Does the DWP Take to Process Claims?
The DWP has set a target of clearing 90% of new Attendance Allowance claims within 30 days. Pensions Minister Torsten Bell confirmed that most claims are currently being processed within 3 to 4 weeks, helped by the new digital application route.
However, some claims take longer – particularly if:
- The DWP needs to contact your GP for medical evidence
- Additional information is requested from you
- Your local processing centre has a backlog
- A face-to-face assessment is required (rare for AA)
Terminal illness claims under the special rules are prioritised and typically cleared within 8 days.
The 6-Month Qualifying Period
There is one important limitation on backdating. You must have needed care or supervision for at least 6 months before Attendance Allowance payments can start.
The 6-month qualifying period does not apply to terminal illness claims under the special rules.
Can Attendance Allowance Be Backdated Further?
No. Attendance Allowance cannot be backdated before your claim date. Unlike some other benefits, there is no provision for backdating to the date your condition started or to a date before you applied.
This is why applying as soon as possible is so important. Every week you delay is a week of benefit you cannot get back. If you think you or a family member might qualify, start the process now.
What About Back Pay After a Successful Appeal?
If your initial claim is rejected and you successfully challenge it through a mandatory reconsideration or tribunal appeal, your back may be calculated from your original claim date, not the appeal date. This means you should receive all the payments you would have been entitled to from the start.
This is another reason why getting the application right the first time matters. Read our guide on what to do if your Attendance Allowance is rejected.
Start Your Application Today
The sooner you apply, the sooner your claim date is established – and the more back pay you could receive. At Attendance Allowance Services, our HCPC-registered Occupational Therapists handle the entire application, ensuring your care needs are described accurately and thoroughly.
There is no fee unless your application is successful.
Check your eligibility – free, no obligation, takes 2 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
How much back pay will I get for Attendance Allowance?
Your backpay covers the period from initial scanning of your form to the date a decision is made. At the higher rate of £114.60 per week, a 4-week processing time gives you a lump sum of £458.40. At 12 weeks, it would be £1,375.20. The exact amount depends on the rate you are awarded and how long the DWP takes to process your claim.
Can Attendance Allowance be backdated before I applied?
No. Attendance Allowance can only be backdated to the date your former scanned by the DWP. It cannot be backdated to when your condition started or to a date before your application. This is why applying as early as possible is important.
How long does it take to get an Attendance Allowance decision?
The DWP currently aims to process 90% of claims within 30 days, and most are being decided within 3 to 4 weeks. Some claims take longer if the DWP needs additional medical evidence or if a face-to-face assessment is required. Terminal illness claims are fast-tracked and typically decided within 8 days.
