March 2022
Attendance Allowance is a tax free, non-means tested benefit administered by Disability and Carers Service for the Department of Works and Pensions for someone who suffers from an illness/disability and has care and/or supervision needs.
To qualify you must over state pension age when applying, satisfy the residency rules and have the right to reside in Great Britain.
You must have had a need for at least 6 months and expect to have needs for at least another 6 months OR claim under special rules if you are terminally ill.
Attendance Allowance may be awarded at one of two rates:
These are 2022/23 rates. Please see the Attendance Allowance Guide or Benefit Rates Card in the library for up to date rates.
Higher rate – £92.40 per week for a Day and Night-time need
Lower rate – £61.85 per week for a Day or Night-time need
It is not about what is wrong with you but what help you need, you do not have to have a medical diagnosis to be eligible for Attendance Allowance.
Attendance Allowance is paid at one of two rates, depending on WHEN you need the help DAY or NIGHT not how bad you are.
Day - you require from another person
b) continual supervision throughout the day in order to avoid substantial danger to yourself or others.
Night - you require from another person
b) in order to avoid substantial danger to yourself or others, somebody to be awake for a prolonged period or at frequent intervals
To claim Attendance Allowance you will have to complete an application form, it is fairly simple but quite lengthy (28 pages). If the DWP needs any further information they can ask for it or if you can send in additional evidence of your disability or illness.
Try to keep it relevant to personal care and supervision needs. Do not overlook any Supervision needs. Is there a risk of harm? Falls? Evidence of supervision aids for example pendant alarms, Alexa reminders, Ring door bells, monitors.
Consider ALL bodily functions and include prompting, reminding and encouraging; seeing, hearing, breathing, reading, communication as well as the more commonly considered bathing, dressing, eating and toileting. Describe frequency, variable or fluctuating is difficult to assign a level of frequency to, please try to explain what is usual or normal, most days and/or nights.
Housekeeping, shopping, driving, gardening are NOT personal care or supervision needs. Although difficulty completing these tasks may show other personal care related support need.
Upgrading
It is more often for a person to be receiving the lower rate for a daytime care or supervision need and for the additional need to be at night. Please bear in mind the criteria and remember the 6month qualifying period which applies to an upgrade application. A period of hospitalisation will be considered for the qualifying period but an upgrade or new application won’t be considered until a claimant is discharged.
Special Rules
For someone with a short life expectancy a medical practitioner (usually GP) completes DS1500. There is no need to complete the whole application form and qualifying period does not apply in these circumstances.
How to fill in an Attendance Allowance form
Request a form – 0800 731 0122
If you would like some help to complete the form please Get In Touch.
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