Attendance Allowance › Dementia
Attendance Allowance and Dementia: Do You Qualify?
Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed by: Silverwings Benefits Team · Source: DWP
Dementia claims for Attendance Allowance are often about supervision and prompting as much as physical help — the kind of ongoing watching-over that's easy to forget to mention because it becomes such a normal part of daily life for the person and their family.
Important: there\u2019s no list of qualifying conditions
Attendance Allowance isn\u2019t awarded because of a diagnosis \u2014 it\u2019s awarded based on the help and supervision you need day-to-day because of your health. Two people with dementia can have very different levels of need, and both routes below start with a free, no-obligation check.
Check If You're Eligible — Free, 60 Seconds
Check If You’re Likely to Qualify
A few quick questions about the help you need day-to-day — no jargon, no medical terms. Takes about 2 minutes.
No obligation · No cost to check
How Dementia Can Affect Daily Life
These are the kinds of everyday difficulties that can be relevant to an Attendance Allowance claim. Not everyone with dementia experiences all of these, and some people experience difficulties not listed here \u2014 this is general context, not a checklist to copy onto a form.
Supervision to stay safe
Needing someone nearby in case of confusion, wandering, or accidents such as leaving the oven on.
Prompting with daily tasks
Needing reminders to wash, dress, eat, drink, or take medication at the right times.
Confusion at night
Disturbed sleep patterns, night-time waking, or increased confusion after dark ("sundowning") are common and relevant.
Personal care
Help with washing, dressing or toileting, which can become more frequent as memory and coordination decline.
Risk of falls or injury
Reduced awareness of hazards can mean a much higher risk of accidents without someone present.
Communication difficulties
Struggling to explain needs, follow conversations, or make decisions safely without support.
How Much Could You Get?
£76.70/wk
Lower Rate
Help needed by day or night
£114.60/wk
Higher Rate
Help needed by day and night
Tax-free, not means-tested \u2014 see full details on our main Attendance Allowance page.
Why Not Apply Alone?
Dementia-related needs are frequently under-reported because families adapt gradually and stop noticing how much support has crept in over time. That gradual change is exactly what a fresh, structured assessment from someone outside the situation is good at capturing.
DWP figures show 59% of new disability benefit claims are disallowed nationally. We\u2019ve helped hundreds of people apply successfully since October 2023, on a success-based fee basis \u2014 you only pay if your application succeeds.
Check If You're Eligible
Our free eligibility check takes just a couple of minutes. No obligation, no pressure.
Not sure Attendance Allowance is the right fit? Check everything you could be owed, free.