What is Attendance Allowance and how to fill in the form
March 2020
Attendance Allowance is a tax free, non-means tested benefit for someone who suffers from an illness/disability and has care and/or supervision needs
To qualify you must be 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;
- Higher rate £89.60 per week for a Day and Night time need
- Lower rate £60.00 per week for a Day or Night time need
These are 2020/21 rates – please see the Benefit Rates Card or Attendance Allowance Guide in the Library for up to date rates
Day – you require from another person
a) frequent attention throughout the day in connection with your bodily
functions, or
b) continual supervision throughout the day in order to avoid substantial danger to
yourself or others.
Night – you require from another person
a) prolonged or repeated attention in connection with your bodily functions, or
b) in order to avoid substantial danger to yourself or others, somebody to be
awake for a prolonged period or at frequent intervals
Attendance Allowance upgrade – If the lower rate is already in payment and there has been an additional need for help with
personal care/supervision at night which is repeated/frequent (twice or more) and/or for a prolonged period (20 mins +) an application to upgrade may be appropriate.B
What is Attendance Allowance and how to fill in the form
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. Housekeeping, shopping, driving, gardening are NOT personal care or supervision needs. Don’t forget any need for ‘supervision’ –stumbling, the risk of falls, pendant alarms…
Attendance Allowance is paid at one of two rates, low or high depending on WHEN you need the help DAY or NIGHT not how bad you are
If you are not sure whether you will qualify for benefits or would like help to fill in a form we can do a Care Funding and Benefit Check by phone or visit you at home to fill in a benefit form.
