Attendance Allowance is a tax-free, non-means-tested benefit for older adults who need extra help due to a disability, often including dementia. Because it is not means-tested, you can claim it regardless of your savings or income, and Attendance Allowance is paid directly into your bank account.<\/p>\n
To qualify for Attendance Allowance, there are specific criteria that must be met, which include:<\/p>\n
The person claiming must be over State Pension age (younger people may be eligible for Personal Independence Payment<\/a>).<\/p>\n Attendance Allowance is available to people who have reached state pension age and have a disability, long-term illness, or a physical or mental health condition. This includes sight or hearing impairments. Common conditions claimed for include dementia<\/a>, arthritis, back pain, heart disease, respiratory conditions, and multiple sclerosis.<\/p>\n Bear in mind, though, that Attendance Allowance is not awarded simply based on having a medical condition or disability. It will depend on whether it is severe enough for the person to need care and supervision, and whether it is considered long-term (lasting more than six months).<\/p>\n The person claiming will need assistance with personal care, including washing<\/a> and dressing. They may also need supervision to keep them safe during the day or night.<\/p>\n In addition, the person claiming will have needed help for the past six months. In the case of terminally ill people, the person can make a claim straight away.<\/p>\n There are two rates of funding, depending on how much care the person needs:<\/p>\n The lower rate is \u00a376.70 per week and is for people who need frequent help or constant supervision during the day or supervision at night.<\/p>\n The higher rate is \u00a3114.60 a week for people who need help or supervision throughout the day AND night, or those who are likely to have less than 12 months to live.<\/p>\n When a decision is made, it will include whether the benefit is awarded for a fixed amount of time or indefinitely. If it is for a fixed period of time, you will be told when it ends, and a new claim form will be sent to you before the current award ends.<\/p>\n To apply, you\u2019ll need the following:<\/p>\n To apply for Attendance Allowance in England, Scotland or Wales, you will need to fill in the\u202fAttendance Allowance claim form<\/a>.<\/p>\n The form should be posted to\u202fFreepost DWP Attendance Allowance<\/strong> \u2013 you do not need a stamp or postcode.<\/p>\n You cannot submit the form online.<\/p>\n If you would like a hard copy of the form or an alternative format (eg braille, large print or audio CD), contact the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you have any technical difficulties with the form, contact the helpdesk on 0800 169 0154 or email dwponline.helpdesk@dwp.gov.uk<\/a>\u202f.<\/p>\n You will need to download a different\u202f Attendance Allowance application\u202f form<\/a> in Northern Ireland. Attendance Allowance For any queries, call\u202f0800 587 0912.<\/p>\n The main sections of the application form are the \u2018Care needs\u2019 sections \u2013 one for care needs during the day, and the other for care needs at night.<\/p>\n These cover what help the person needs with:<\/p>\n You will need to answer questions about each of these different areas. Where there is a box for adding additional information, include as much detail as you can about the person\u2019s difficulties.<\/p>\n The section on eating, drinking or cutting up food is one of the most important sections that the assessors will focus on. You will need to make it clear if the person with dementia is unable to plan, purchase and prepare food and drink, especially if they are totally dependent on others for these processes.<\/p>\n When filling out the \u2018Care needs\u2019 sections:<\/p>\n People who have been told by a medical professional that they are unlikely to live for more than 12 months can apply for Attendance Allowance using \u2018special rules\u2019. This can speed up the process, so the benefit is paid sooner.<\/p>\n If the person qualifies under special rules, they will be eligible for the higher rate of payment.<\/p>\n As well as the Attendance Allowance application form, you will need to send in a form called SR1, which you can get from the GP, a nurse or a social worker. They will either fill the form out for you or give it to you to fill out.<\/p>\n An assessment is only needed to check eligibility if it\u2019s unclear how a health condition or disability impacts the person applying. If required, they will be invited to an assessment by letter. During their assessment, a medical professional will examine them to determine how they’re impacted.<\/p>\n To prepare for an Attendance Allowance assessment, gather all relevant information and paperwork beforehand. This should include details of the person’s health condition or disability, the care or supervision they need, and any aids, adaptations, or support that help them remain independent. It is also useful to note any recent changes in their circumstances that may affect their eligibility or the level of support they receive.<\/p>\n If an application is turned down, the letter will explain why. If the person is unhappy with the decision, they can request a \u2018mandatory reconsideration\u2019 within one month of the date on the decision letter.<\/p>\n The person can challenge the claim by writing to the address on the decision letter, by phone, or by completing a Mandatory Reconsideration Request Form<\/a>.<\/p>\n If the person lives in Northern Ireland, you can find out about appealing the decision on\u202fthe Government services website<\/a>.<\/p>\n It is best to contest the decision by letter or form so there is a written record of the points they have raised. Make a copy so you can re-send it if it goes missing or refer to it later if they need to.<\/p>\n If the mandatory reconsideration request is not submitted within a month, they can still apply, but they must have a good reason for the delay, eg a hospital admission or bereavement.<\/p>\n If mandatory reconsideration is unsuccessful, they can appeal to a\u202ftribunal where a judge will look at the case and decide if the decision is fair.<\/p>\n If the circumstances of the person receiving Attendance Allowance change, they must let the Department for Work and Pensions know by calling the helpline.<\/p>\n For example:<\/p>\n Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, which means it is not affected by the person\u2019s income, savings, or any other benefits they receive.<\/p>\n Getting Attendance Allowance could actually mean they are entitled to further benefits, or an increase in some benefits, including Pension Credit<\/a>, Housing Benefit<\/a> and Council Tax Reduction<\/a>.<\/p>\nMedical conditions<\/h3>\n
Other considerations<\/h3>\n
How much is Attendance Allowance?<\/a><\/h2>\n
How much is lower rate Attendance Allowance?<\/h3>\n
How much is higher rate Attendance Allowance?<\/h3>\n
How long is Attendance Allowance paid out?<\/a><\/h2>\n
Guidance for applying for Attendance Allowance<\/a><\/h2>\n
What do you need to apply for Attendance Allowance?<\/h3>\n
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Applying in England, Scotland and Wales<\/h3>\n
Applying in Northern Ireland<\/h3>\n
\nIt can be handed in at a Jobs and Benefits Office, or posted to:<\/p>\n
\nDisability and Carers Service
\nMail Opening Unit
\nPO Box 42
\nLimavady
\nBT49 4AN<\/p>\nFilling out the \u2018care needs\u2019 section of the Attendance Allowance form<\/h3>\n
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Attendance Allowance special rules<\/a><\/h2>\n
Assessment for Attendance Allowance<\/a><\/h2>\n
How to prepare for an Attendance Allowance Assessment<\/h3>\n
If the person is rejected for Attendance Allowance<\/a><\/h2>\n
Challenging an Attendance Allowance claim<\/h3>\n
If circumstances change<\/a><\/h2>\n
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Attendance Allowance and other benefits<\/a><\/h2>\n