Attendance Allowance › ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
Attendance Allowance and ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome): Do You Qualify?
Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed by: Silverwings Benefits Team · Source: DWP
Myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) causes profound exhaustion that is not fixed by rest, and can leave someone housebound or bed-bound for days after even modest activity. Attendance Allowance is designed around exactly that kind of fluctuating, 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 me/cfs (chronic fatigue syndrome) can have very different levels of need, and both routes below start with a free, no-obligation check.
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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.
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How ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) Can Affect Daily Life
These are the kinds of everyday difficulties that can be relevant to an Attendance Allowance claim. Not everyone with me/cfs (chronic fatigue syndrome) 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 malaise (PEM)
Even everyday activity, like washing or a short walk, can trigger a severe worsening of symptoms lasting days, sometimes needing help with basic tasks during that time.
Severe, disabling fatigue
Exhaustion that goes far beyond normal tiredness can mean cooking, washing or dressing take far longer than they used to, or need someone else to step in.
Cognitive difficulties ("brain fog")
Problems with memory, concentration and processing information can mean needing prompting for medication, appointments, or everyday decisions.
Pain and sensory sensitivity
Muscle and joint pain, along with sensitivity to light, noise or touch, can make ordinary daily tasks and environments genuinely difficult to manage alone.
Disturbed, unrefreshing sleep
Sleep that does not restore energy can mean needing more help on some days than others, in a way that is hard to predict in advance.
Difficulty regulating activity
Needing prompting or supervision to pace activity and avoid triggering a crash, since pushing through symptoms can make things significantly worse.
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?
ME/CFS claims are often under-assessed because severity fluctuates so much, and it's easy to describe a comparatively better day rather than a 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.