PIP vs Attendance Allowance
Both PIP and Attendance Allowance help people with long-term health conditions or disabilities, but they apply to different age groups and work differently. Understanding which one applies to you is the first step.
| Feature | PIP | Attendance Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Age range | 16 to State Pension age | State Pension age and over |
| Components | Daily living component and mobility component | Lower rate and higher rate (care needs only, no mobility component) |
| Weekly rates (2025/26) | Daily living: £73.90–£110.40; Mobility: £29.20–£77.05 | Lower: £73.90; Higher: £110.40 |
| Medical assessment required | Yes — face-to-face, telephone, or paper-based assessment | Usually decided on paper without a face-to-face assessment |
| Means tested | ||
| Effect on other benefits | Can increase Universal Credit disability premium; passports to other support | Can increase Pension Credit and council tax support |
If you reached State Pension age before April 2013, you may have been transferred from Disability Living Allowance rather than PIP.
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