Secure your 2026 Attendance Allowance claim. Download the PDF or request a postal pack.
Document Version: DWP AA1-2026The "Golden Rule" of Backdating
Before you download the form, you must understand one critical rule: The clock starts ticking the moment you make contact.
If you call the DWP helpline to request a form today, your claim will be backdated to today's date. If you download the form from the internet and send it in 3 weeks later, your claim will only start from the day they receive it. This could cost you hundreds of pounds in lost payments.
Step-by-Step Claim Process
Follow this strict timeline to ensure your application is processed without delays:
How to Fill Question 26 (The Trap)
The form is long (approx. 30 pages) and Question 26 is where most people fail. It asks about your ability to stay safe. Even if you don't have a carer, if you need someone to "keep an eye on you" to prevent falls, leaving the gas on, or taking the wrong medication, you must state this clearly.
Do not be modest. The DWP decision maker never meets you; they only judge you based on what you write on this paper.
Can I apply online?
Currently, most people cannot apply for Attendance Allowance fully online. You generally need to print the AA1 form or request it by post. However, a limited number of applicants in certain postcodes are testing a digital service.
Where do I send the form?
The address is pre-printed on the form. If you downloaded it, write: Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance on the envelope. You do not need a postcode or a stamp.
What if I am terminally ill?
If you have less than 12 months to live, do not fill out the full form. Ask your doctor for an SR1 Report and tick the "Special Rules" box on the form. Your claim will be fast-tracked and paid at the highest rate automatically.