Pension Credit › Attendance Allowance
Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance: How the Two Work Together
Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed by: Silverwings Benefits Team · Source: GOV.UK
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Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance — we’re filming this explainer now.
Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit are two entirely different benefits that are designed to work together, not compete with each other. Attendance Allowance is not counted as income when your Pension Credit is assessed, and receiving it can actually increase how much Pension Credit you get, through something called the severe disability addition.
If you are already getting Attendance Allowance and have not checked Pension Credit, or you are considering both together, this page explains how the two interact and why it is worth checking both.
Attendance Allowance is ignored as income
When the DWP works out your income for Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance (along with PIP and DLA care components) is disregarded entirely. It does not push your income over the threshold, so getting AA never reduces your Pension Credit eligibility on income grounds.
The severe disability addition
If you receive Attendance Allowance (or the daily living component of PIP, or the middle/highest rate care component of DLA), and no one is claiming Carer’s Allowance for looking after you, an extra amount is added to your Pension Credit calculation for severe disability. This effectively raises the income level you can have and still qualify, and increases the amount you are paid if you already qualify.
- One severe disability addition applies per qualifying person in the household
- For couples where both partners get a qualifying disability benefit, two additions can apply
- The addition is on top of the standard Guarantee Credit amount, not instead of it
Why people miss this
Many people who receive Attendance Allowance assume it counts as income and might tip them over a means-tested threshold, so they never check Pension Credit at all. In practice the opposite is usually true — AA recipients are often exactly the people Pension Credit is designed to help, precisely because of this addition.
It works the other way too: if you already get Pension Credit but have never checked Attendance Allowance, and a health condition or disability makes daily tasks or getting around harder, it is worth checking that separately.
Attendance Allowance can raise your Pension Credit — it never lowers it.
Frequently asked questions
Will my Attendance Allowance be counted as income for Pension Credit?
No. Attendance Allowance is fully disregarded as income when Pension Credit is assessed.
Does getting Attendance Allowance mean I automatically get more Pension Credit?
Not automatically, but it usually triggers the severe disability addition, which adds extra money on top of the standard amount, provided no one claims Carer’s Allowance for you.
Can both partners in a couple get the severe disability addition?
Yes, if both partners individually receive a qualifying disability benefit such as Attendance Allowance, both additions can apply.
I already get Pension Credit — should I check Attendance Allowance too?
Yes, it is worth checking separately if a health condition affects your daily living or mobility, regardless of your Pension Credit award.
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