Attendance Allowance reviews and changes

Attendance Allowance · England only

Attendance Allowance reviews and changes

Attendance Allowance awards can be reviewed and changed. This page explains when reviews happen and what to do if your circumstances change.

We explain the system. We do not advise on individual cases.

When Attendance Allowance is reviewed

Attendance Allowance does not have a fixed end date in the same way as some other benefits, but the DWP can review an award at any time. A review looks at whether your care needs still meet the criteria for the benefit and at which rate.

Reporting changes in circumstances

You must tell the DWP if your circumstances change in a way that could affect your Attendance Allowance. Changes that may need to be reported include:

  • Going into hospital for more than 28 days
  • Moving into a care home funded by the local authority
  • Travelling abroad for more than four weeks
  • Your care needs increasing significantly
Failing to report relevant changes could result in an overpayment that the DWP may ask you to repay.

If your needs increase

If your care needs increase after your award was made, you can ask the DWP to look at your award again. You may be moved from the lower rate to the higher rate if your needs have changed significantly.

Official source

For guidance on reporting changes: GOV.UK — Attendance Allowance change of circumstances

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Last reviewed: June 2026. We review this website regularly. Benefit rules and amounts can change — for current forms, deadlines and rates, always check GOV.UK. See how we keep this up to date.