0800 731 0122 Is The DWP Attendance Allowance Helpline: 2026 Guide
0800 731 0122 is the official Department for Work and Pensions Attendance Allowance helpline. It can be used to request an Attendance Allowance claim form, ask about an existing claim, report changes in circumstances and get help with Attendance Allowance enquiries.
The helpline is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm. As an 0800 number, calls are free from UK landlines and mobile phones.
Attendance Allowance is intended for people who have reached State Pension age and need help or supervision because of a disability or health condition. In 2026/27, it is worth either £76.70 or £114.60 per week, depending on the level of help a person needs.
Is 0800 731 0122 A Genuine DWP Number?
Yes. 0800 731 0122 is a genuine DWP telephone number published for Attendance Allowance enquiries.
People searching for the number after seeing it online, on paperwork or in correspondence can verify that it is associated with the Attendance Allowance service.
However, seeing an official number displayed on an incoming call does not by itself prove that a caller is genuine.
Anyone concerned about an unexpected call should avoid giving out sensitive financial or personal information and instead contact the DWP using the published helpline number themselves.
What Can You Use 0800 731 0122 For?
The Attendance Allowance helpline covers several parts of the claim and payment process.
You can contact 0800 731 0122 for help with:
- Starting A New Claim by requesting a paper Attendance Allowance claim form
- Checking An Existing Claim if you need information about a claim you have already submitted
- Reporting A Change when your health, personal details or living arrangements change
- Hospital Or Care Home Stays where the change may affect your entitlement
- Payment Enquiries if you need information about an Attendance Allowance award
- Accessibility Support if you need an alternative way to communicate with the DWP
- End Of Life Claims where special Attendance Allowance rules may apply
The number is specifically connected with Attendance Allowance, so it should not be treated as a general contact number for every DWP benefit.
What Are The Opening Hours For 0800 731 0122?
The Attendance Allowance helpline operates during the following hours:
Day Opening Hours
Monday 8 am To 6 pm
Tuesday 8am To 6pm
Wednesday 8am To 6pm
Thursday 8am To 6pm
Friday 8am To 6pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
The service is therefore available on weekdays rather than at weekends.
Claimants should have important information ready before making the call, particularly their National Insurance number and details relating to their claim.
Is 0800 731 0122 Free To Call?
Yes. Numbers beginning with 0800 are Freephone numbers in the UK.
Calls to 0800 731 0122 are free from UK landlines and mobile phones. Charges may be different if someone attempts to call from outside the UK, so international callers should check with their telephone provider.
How Much Is Attendance Allowance In 2026?
Attendance Allowance has two weekly rates. From the 2026/27 benefit year, these are:
Attendance Allowance Rate Weekly Amount
Lower Rate £76.70
Higher Rate £114.60
The rate awarded depends on the amount of help or supervision a person needs rather than their income or savings.
Lower And Higher Attendance Allowance Rates
The lower rate of £76.70 per week generally applies where someone needs frequent help or continual supervision during the day, or needs supervision or help during the night.
The higher rate of £114.60 per week generally applies where someone meets the relevant care or supervision conditions during both the day and night.
The higher rate can also apply under the special rules for people nearing the end of life.
Attendance Allowance is not means-tested. A claimant’s earnings or savings do not normally determine the amount they receive.
Who Can Claim Attendance Allowance In 2026?
Attendance Allowance is mainly intended for people who have reached State Pension age and have a disability or health condition that creates personal care or supervision needs.
A person may qualify where:
- They Have Reached State Pension Age
- They Have A Physical Or Mental Disability Or Health Condition
- They Need Help Looking After Themselves
- They Need Supervision For Their Own Safety Or Someone Else’s Safety
- They Have Usually Needed This Help For At Least Six Months
There are different rules for someone who is nearing the end of life.
Attendance Allowance does not provide a separate mobility component. Eligibility is based primarily on personal care and supervision needs.
How Can You Apply For Attendance Allowance?
In 2026, Attendance Allowance can be claimed online or by post.
The method used can affect the date from which a successful claim begins.
Applying Online
An Attendance Allowance application can now be completed online.
When a person applies online, the claim normally starts from the date the online claim is made.
Applicants should prepare information about their condition, contact details, National Insurance number, GP and relevant care or medical arrangements before beginning the application.
Applying By Post
A claimant can download and print the Attendance Allowance form, complete it and send it to the DWP.
For a printed form obtained independently and posted to the DWP, the claim normally starts from the date the DWP receives it.
Completed forms can be sent to:
Freepost
DWP Attendance Allowance
A postcode and stamp are not required when using the official Freepost address.
Requesting A Form By Calling 0800 731 0122
People who prefer a paper application can call 0800 731 0122 and ask the Attendance Allowance helpline to send them a claim form.
This route has an important rule concerning the claim start date.
Why Does The Date You Call 0800 731 0122 Matter?
Calling the Attendance Allowance helpline for a claim form can protect an earlier claim start date.
If you request a form by calling 0800 731 0122, a successful claim can normally start from the date you made the phone call, provided the completed form is returned within the required period.
This can make the date of the initial call financially important.
The Six-Week Claim Form Return Rule
The form needs to be returned within six weeks for the claim to start from the date on which the claimant called the helpline to request it.
If the deadline is missed, the earlier phone-call date may not be protected in the same way.
This differs from applying online, where the claim starts from the application date, and printing a form yourself, where the relevant start date is normally the date the DWP receives it.
What Should You Have Ready Before Calling 0800 731 0122?
Preparing information in advance can make it easier to explain your circumstances and deal with your enquiry.
Depending on why you are calling, useful information can include:
- National Insurance Number
- Full Name And Date Of Birth
- Current Address And Contact Details
- Information About Your Disability Or Health Condition
- GP Surgery Or Medical Centre Details
- Details Of Specialists Or Health Professionals
- Information About Medication
- Hospital, Hospice Or Care Home Details
- Dates Of Relevant Hospital Or Care Home Stays
- Bank Details For Relevant Payment Enquiries
- Details Of The Help Or Supervision You Need
When completing a claim, it can also be useful to keep notes or a short diary showing how a condition affects everyday life.
This can be particularly helpful where a person’s needs change from day to day.
What Care And Supervision Needs Count For Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is based on how a disability or health condition affects a person’s need for help rather than simply the name of their diagnosis.
Personal care needs could relate to activities such as:
- Getting Washed Or Bathed
- Getting Dressed
- Eating And Drinking
- Using The Toilet
- Getting In Or Out Of Bed
- Managing Personal Care Safely
- Communicating With Other People
- Taking Care Of Personal Needs During The Night
Supervision can also matter.
For example, someone may need another person nearby because there is a risk of falling, becoming confused, wandering, having a seizure or facing another substantial danger.
When making a claim, explaining what help is needed, how often it is needed and what could happen without that help can be more useful than simply listing medical conditions.
Can You Claim Attendance Allowance Without Having A Carer?
Yes. You do not have to employ a carer or have a family member formally caring for you to qualify.
Attendance Allowance looks at the help or supervision you reasonably need, not whether that help is actually being provided.
For example, someone living alone may still qualify if their health condition means they need frequent help with personal care or supervision for safety.
This makes it important for claimants to describe their actual needs rather than only the assistance they currently receive.
When Should You Call DWP To Report A Change?
People receiving Attendance Allowance must tell the DWP about changes that could affect their entitlement or payments.
You should contact the Attendance Allowance helpline if there is a relevant change.
Changes To Health Or Care Needs
Tell the DWP if the amount of help or supervision you need significantly changes.
This includes where your condition becomes better or worse and the change affects your day or night care needs.
A change could result in the amount of Attendance Allowance increasing, decreasing or stopping.
Hospital Or Care Home Stays
Going into hospital or a care home should be reported.
The DWP may ask for:
- The Address Of The Hospital Or Care Home
- The Date You Entered
- How Long You Expect To Stay
- How Your Care Home Fees Are Being Funded
Attendance Allowance can be affected where public money is being used to meet care costs.
Going Abroad
You should tell the Attendance Allowance helpline if you plan to leave the country for more than four weeks.
Whether payments continue can depend on the circumstances and length of the absence.
Address Or Bank Detail Changes
Changes to your name, home address or bank details should be reported promptly.
Keeping payment and contact information accurate can prevent delays with correspondence or benefit payments.
Changes To Care Home Funding
Someone in a care home should also report changes to how their accommodation or care is funded.
For example, a change from paying all care costs yourself to receiving local authority or NHS funding could affect Attendance Allowance.
What Accessibility Support Is Available For 0800 731 0122?
The DWP provides different communication options for people who cannot easily use a standard telephone call.
Textphone
DWP Attendance Allowance claim guidance lists the textphone number as:
0800 731 0317
This service is intended for people with speech or hearing difficulties.
Relay UK
People who cannot hear or speak on the phone can use Relay UK by dialling:
18001 then 0800 731 0122
British Sign Language Video Relay
British Sign Language users can use the DWP’s BSL video relay service.
This enables communication with the Attendance Allowance service through a BSL interpreter.
Alternative Formats
People who require information in an accessible format can ask about options such as:
- Braille
- Large Print
- Audio
- British Sign Language
- Translations
- Other Accessible Formats
Support is also available for people who require Welsh-language Attendance Allowance information.
Does 0800 731 0122 Apply In Scotland?
People living in Scotland now need to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment rather than making a new Attendance Allowance claim.
Pension Age Disability Payment is administered by Social Security Scotland.
This distinction is particularly important in 2026 because someone searching for the Attendance Allowance number may find older information referring to the DWP process.
People who move between Scotland and England or Wales should also report the move because their disability benefit arrangements may need to change.
What Are The Attendance Allowance Special Rules For End Of Life?
Different rules apply where a person is nearing the end of life.
A person who has reached State Pension age may qualify under the special rules where a doctor or other medical professional believes they may have 12 months or less to live.
Under these rules:
- Claims Can Be Processed More Quickly
- The Normal Six-Month Qualifying Period Does Not Apply In The Same Way
- The Higher Attendance Allowance Rate Can Be Awarded
- A Medical Professional May Need To Provide An SR1 Form
For 2026/27, the higher Attendance Allowance rate is £114.60 per week.
Someone already receiving Attendance Allowance should tell the DWP if a medical professional says they may have 12 months or less to live, as their entitlement could change.
Can Attendance Allowance Increase Other Benefits?
Attendance Allowance itself is not means-tested, but receiving it can sometimes affect entitlement to other financial support.
Depending on a person’s circumstances, an Attendance Allowance award could lead to extra help through:
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Reduction
It can therefore be worthwhile checking a household’s wider benefit entitlement after Attendance Allowance has been awarded.
An Attendance Allowance award may also be relevant to a person providing substantial care, as they may be able to investigate carer-related support.
However, the interaction between benefits can be complex, so the overall household position should be considered before another benefit is claimed.
What Happens After You Apply For Attendance Allowance?
After an Attendance Allowance claim is submitted, the DWP considers the information provided about the claimant’s health condition and care or supervision needs.
Applicants should normally receive a text message or letter within three weeks explaining when they can expect a decision.
The final decision is then sent in writing.
If Attendance Allowance is awarded, the decision letter should explain:
- Which Rate Has Been Awarded
- When The Award Starts
- When The First Payment Will Be Made
- Any Other Relevant Information About The Award
Not every applicant needs a face-to-face assessment. An assessment may be required where the DWP needs more information about how the condition affects the person.
What Can You Do If Your Attendance Allowance Claim Is Refused?
A refused claim does not necessarily mean the decision cannot be challenged.
If you believe the DWP made the wrong decision, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again through mandatory reconsideration.
Mandatory Reconsideration
Mandatory reconsideration asks the DWP to review its original decision.
When challenging a decision, it can be useful to explain clearly why you disagree and identify information about your care or supervision needs that may have been misunderstood or overlooked.
Additional supporting information may also be relevant where available.
If the mandatory reconsideration does not change the decision, there may be a further right of appeal.
What Should You Do If An Attendance Allowance Claimant Dies?
When someone receiving Attendance Allowance dies, their death needs to be reported so government records and benefit payments can be updated.
In England, Scotland and Wales, Tell Us Once is normally the main government service used after a death has been registered. It can notify the DWP and several other government organisations at the same time.
Where Tell Us Once cannot be used or further Attendance Allowance information is required, the relevant DWP service may need to be contacted separately.
Benefit payments made after a death should not simply be assumed to belong to the estate or family. Any payment issue should be checked with the relevant department.
Other Ways To Contact Attendance Allowance
Calling 0800 731 0122 is not the only way to deal with an Attendance Allowance claim.
Available options include:
Method What It Can Be Used For
Online Making A New Attendance Allowance Claim
Telephone Requesting A Form Or Dealing With An Enquiry
Post Sending A Completed Paper Claim Form
Relay UK Accessible Telephone Communication
BSL Video Relay Support For British Sign Language Users
Textphone Support For Speech Or Hearing Difficulties
Paper claim forms should be sent to:
Freepost
DWP Attendance Allowance
Only the Freepost address is required on the envelope when using this address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 0800 731 0122 A Genuine DWP Number?
Yes. 0800 731 0122 is the official DWP Attendance Allowance helpline used for claims, enquiries and reporting changes.
Is 0800 731 0122 Free To Call?
Yes. Calls to 0800 numbers are free from UK landlines and mobile phones.
Can Someone Else Call 0800 731 0122 For Me?
Yes. A relative, carer or representative may be able to help, although the DWP may need your permission before discussing personal claim details.
Can I Claim Attendance Allowance If I Have Savings?
Yes. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so your savings and income do not normally affect the amount you receive.
Can I Claim Attendance Allowance If I Live Alone?
Yes. You can qualify even if you live alone and nobody currently provides the help or supervision you need.
How Long Does An Attendance Allowance Claim Take?
Processing times can vary. The DWP should normally contact you after receiving the claim to explain when you can expect a decision.
Can Attendance Allowance Be Backdated?
It is not normally backdated before the claim date. If you request a form by phone and return it within six weeks, the claim can usually start from the date of the call.
