Attendance Allowance › Long Covid
Attendance Allowance and Long Covid: Do You Qualify?
Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed by: Silverwings Benefits Team · Source: DWP
Long Covid can leave someone with persistent, fluctuating symptoms for months or years after the initial infection, often including severe fatigue, breathlessness and 'brain fog'. Attendance Allowance is designed around exactly that kind of ongoing, unpredictable need for help or supervision.
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 long covid 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 Long Covid Can Affect Daily Life
These are the kinds of everyday difficulties that can be relevant to an Attendance Allowance claim. Not everyone with long covid 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.
Post-exertional symptom flare-ups
Physical or mental effort, even everyday tasks, can trigger a worsening of symptoms lasting days, sometimes needing help with basic care during that time.
Severe, persistent fatigue
Exhaustion that does not improve with rest can mean washing, dressing or preparing food take far longer, or need someone else to help.
Breathlessness on exertion
Difficulty breathing during ordinary activity like walking around the home or climbing stairs can mean needing supervision or help to manage safely.
Cognitive difficulties ('brain fog')
Problems with memory, concentration and word-finding can mean needing prompting for medication, appointments, or everyday decisions.
Heart rate and dizziness problems
Some people experience a racing heart or dizziness on standing, increasing fall risk and sometimes needing someone nearby for safety.
Sleep disturbance
Poor or unrefreshing sleep can worsen fatigue and cognitive symptoms the following day, in a way that varies unpredictably.
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?
Long Covid claims are often under-assessed because symptoms fluctuate and are still not widely understood, making it easy to describe a better day rather than a bad crash period. Getting this right matters — which is exactly the kind of detail our team focuses on.
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.