OBJECTIVE: To estimate the proportion of unmet need for personal assistance for basic and instrumental activities of daily life and to evaluate socioeconomic inequalities related to the unmet need among community-dwelling Brazilian older adults. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with data from the last National Health Survey in Brazil. Unmet need was considered as the presence of at least one unmet need for basic or instrumental activities of daily life among individuals reporting the need for assistance. Logistic regression models were used to assess the correlates and probabilities of unmet need. RESULTS : The proportion of unmet need was 18% and 7.1% for basic and instrumental activities of daily life, respectively. Unmet need was significantly related to living arrangements and socioeconomic status. Individuals in the first quintile of wealth status had about 50% higher probability of having an unmet need. A family member was the most prevalent type of caregiver. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term care policy is needed to reduce the proportion of unmet need, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Future studies should address the availability, training, and remuneration of caregivers, as those are an indispensable labor force in an aging society.