The Short Answer
The official Attendance Allowance helpline, run by the DWP, is 0800 731 0122 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). Textphone: 0800 731 0317. Relay UK: dial 18001 then 0800 731 0122.
If you would rather have an expert complete the application with you, call Attendance Allowance Services on 0208 081 4500 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). We are an independent service and not part of the DWP. Our registered Occupational Therapists will check your eligibility for free, with no obligation.
Helpline details from GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance, how to claim.
What the DWP Helpline Is For
The DWP helpline is a general service line. It is the right place to:
- Ask for a claim form to be posted to you
- Check how a claim you have already made is progressing
- Report a change, such as a stay in hospital or a care home
It is not designed to help you decide what to write on the form, and that is the part where people often need support. If you have not applied yet, the questions below matter more than the phone number.
Why So Many People Ask for Help With the Form
The Attendance Allowance claim form is long (32 pages on paper) and asks you to describe your care needs in detail, including what happens at night. The DWP decides your claim using the information you give, so how clearly each answer is written matters.
These are the areas people most often find hard to describe:
- Needs at night. Help to use the toilet or turn over in bed, or someone nearby to keep you safe, can all be relevant, but they are easy to leave out. See our guide to Attendance Allowance and night-time care
- Supervision, not just physical help. Needing someone nearby to keep you safe is part of the test
- Your worst days, not your best. The form needs the full picture of how your condition affects you
Our guide to the common Attendance Allowance application pitfalls covers more of the mistakes to avoid, and our Attendance Allowance form guide walks through the form section by section.
How Attendance Allowance Services Helps
A registered Occupational Therapist is assigned to you. They assess your care needs and manage the application on your behalf.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Free eligibility call | You speak to one of our registered Occupational Therapists, who confirms whether you may qualify. If you do, we explain the next steps and only go ahead with your agreement. |
| 2. Consultation call | We review the information you have already given and collect any further details needed to complete your application. |
| 3. Application completed | Your Occupational Therapist completes and endorses the application. We post it to you within 48 hours, for your approval, signature and submission to the DWP. |
No fee unless your application is successful
If your application is successful, any fee is collected after you receive your backdated payment. If it is not successful, there is nothing to pay. The eligibility check is free and you are under no obligation to continue.
Family members and carers are welcome
Many of our enquiries come from family members or carers, and we are happy to talk to anyone supporting an applicant. You can read more about whether someone else can fill in the form for you.
Not sure whether you qualify?
Speak to a registered Occupational Therapist for a free eligibility check. No obligation, and no fee unless your application is successful.
Or call us on 0208 081 4500 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Why Timing Matters
Attendance Allowance is paid from your claim start date, not before
If you apply online, your claim starts on the date you make it. If you print and post the form, it starts on the date the DWP receives it. If you phone the helpline to ask for a form, it starts on the date of your call, as long as you return the form within 6 weeks. Every week of delay can cost you up to £114.60 at the higher rate. See our 2026/27 rates guide for what you could receive.
What Happens After You Apply
After you send your claim, GOV.UK says you will get a text or letter within 3 weeks explaining when to expect a decision. For realistic timescales, see our guide on how long Attendance Allowance takes.
If a claim is turned down, you can ask the DWP to look at it again. This is called mandatory reconsideration, and our guide on what to do if Attendance Allowance is rejected explains the steps.
Living in Northern Ireland or Scotland?
This guide covers England and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own office, and you can find the details on nidirect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Attendance Allowance contact number?
The official DWP Attendance Allowance helpline is 0800 731 0122, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. The textphone number is 0800 731 0317. If you want help completing your application, Attendance Allowance Services is on 0208 081 4500, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Is Attendance Allowance Services part of the DWP?
No. Attendance Allowance Services is an independent service. We are not part of the DWP and we do not make decisions on claims. Our registered Occupational Therapists help you complete your application, and you approve, sign and submit it to the DWP yourself.
Who can help me fill in the Attendance Allowance form?
Our registered Occupational Therapists can complete the application with you after a free eligibility call. A family member or carer can also help, and we are happy to speak to anyone supporting an applicant.
How much does it cost to use Attendance Allowance Services?
The eligibility check is free and without obligation. If your application is successful, any fee is collected after you receive your backdated payment. If it is not successful, there is no fee to pay.
Is there an Attendance Allowance email address?
For England and Wales, GOV.UK lists the helpline and a Freepost postal address and does not publish a general email address. Be careful about sending health or personal details to an email address you find on an unofficial website. You can email Attendance Allowance Services at info@attendance-allowance.co.uk with questions about our service.
Is the Attendance Allowance helpline free?
Numbers that start with 0800 are free to call from UK landlines and mobiles.
How do I check the progress of my Attendance Allowance claim?
Call the DWP helpline on 0800 731 0122 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). After you apply you should get a text or letter within 3 weeks explaining when to expect a decision.
