Attendance Allowance vs PIP – Which Benefit Should You Claim?
Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are both disability benefits paid by the Department for Work and Pensions. They both provide tax-free weekly payments to help with the extra costs of living with a health condition or disability. But they are designed for different age groups and work differently.
If you are unsure which one applies to you, this guide explains the key differences, the current rates, and what happens when you reach State Pension age.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Attendance Allowance | PIP |
|---|---|---|
| Age | State Pension age and over (currently 66) | 16 to State Pension age |
| Components | Care only (2 rates) | Daily living + Mobility (2 rates each) |
| Mobility element | No | Yes (up to £80.00/week) |
| Assessment | Paper-based (AA1 form, 32 pages) | Points-based with face-to-face or phone assessment |
| Means-tested? | No | No |
| Qualifying period | 6 months | 3 months + expected to last 9 more |
| Tax-free? | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum weekly amount | £114.60 | £194.60 (both components enhanced) |
Current Rates (2026/27)
Attendance Allowance
| Rate | Per Week | Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Higher rate (day and night) | £114.60 | £5,959.20 |
| Lower rate (day or night) | £76.70 | £3,988.40 |
PIP
| Component | Standard | Enhanced |
|---|---|---|
| Daily living | £76.70/week | £114.60/week |
| Mobility | £30.30/week | £80.00/week |
Source: GOV.UK – Benefit and pension rates 2026/27
The Key Difference: Age
The most important difference is age:
- PIP is for people aged 16 to State Pension age (currently 66, rising to 67 from May 2026)
- Attendance Allowance is for people who have reached State Pension age
You cannot claim both at the same time. If you are over State Pension age and making a new claim, you must apply for Attendance Allowance, not PIP.
The Mobility Gap
One significant difference is that Attendance Allowance does not have a mobility component. PIP can pay up to £80.00 per week for mobility difficulties on top of the daily living component. Attendance Allowance only covers care and supervision needs.
This means someone receiving the enhanced rate of both PIP components (£194.60/week) would see their maximum drop to £114.60/week if they moved to Attendance Allowance. However, receiving Attendance Allowance can unlock additional benefits like Pension Credit top-ups that may partly offset this.
What Happens to My PIP When I Reach State Pension Age?
If you are already receiving PIP and you reach State Pension age:
- Your existing PIP continues – it does not stop automatically
- You do not need to switch to Attendance Allowance
- Your PIP will continue until your next scheduled review
- If your PIP is stopped or you lose it at review, you would then need to apply for Attendance Allowance instead (you cannot make a new PIP claim after State Pension age)
If you have never claimed either benefit and you are over State Pension age, you must apply for Attendance Allowance. You cannot make a first-time PIP claim after reaching State Pension age.
Scotland: Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP)
If you live in Scotland and are over State Pension age, Attendance Allowance has been replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). The rates are the same as Attendance Allowance but the application form is 88 pages long instead of 32.
For working-age people in Scotland, PIP is being replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which is administered by Social Security Scotland.
How Attendance Allowance Applications Differ from PIP
The application processes are quite different:
- PIP uses a points-based assessment system. You typically attend a face-to-face or telephone assessment with a health professional who scores your daily living and mobility activities
- Attendance Allowance is paper-based. You complete the AA1 form describing your care needs. Most claims are decided on the paperwork alone – a face-to-face assessment is rare
Because Attendance Allowance is decided primarily on what you write in the form, the quality of the application matters enormously. This is where professional support from an HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist can make a significant difference.
At Attendance Allowance Services, our clinical team handles the entire application process – from a free eligibility call through to a comprehensive assessment and completed form. There is no fee unless your application is successful.
Check your eligibility – free and no obligation
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get both PIP and Attendance Allowance?
No. You cannot receive both at the same time. If you are already receiving PIP when you reach State Pension age, your PIP continues until your next review. If you need to make a new claim after State Pension age, you must apply for Attendance Allowance instead of PIP.
What happens to my PIP when I reach State Pension age?
Your PIP does not stop when you reach State Pension age. It continues at the same rate until your next scheduled review. If your PIP ends after that point, you would then apply for Attendance Allowance. You cannot make a new PIP claim after State Pension age.
Is Attendance Allowance the same as PIP?
No. They are separate benefits for different age groups. PIP is for working-age people (16 to State Pension age) and has both a daily living and mobility component. Attendance Allowance is for people over State Pension age and only covers care and supervision needs – there is no mobility component.
