Log in / Register
You are here:
Attendance Allowance is money for people aged of 65 or over who have care needs – i.e. you need help with things like getting dressed or going to the toilet or having someone to look after you so you do not hurt yourself. It could include help outside the home. It does not matter if no one actually gives you this help, as long as you can show you need it. Attendance Allowance does not cover mobility needs.
To get Attendance Allowance, you must not be living in a council care home or in hospital and you must not be subject to immigration control. You must be living in the UK when you make a claim for Attendance Allowance and the UK must be where you normally live. Also you must usually have lived in the UK for six months in the last year. However, this rule does not apply to people who are terminally ill.
There are special rules for some people who are living in, or have returned from an European Economic Area country. The rules are complicated, so if this applies to you, we recommend that you seek advice from a benefits expert. You can use the Turn2us Find an Adviser tool to find a local one.
You must usually have had care needs for at least six months before you can get benefit.This rule does not apply if you are terminally ill.
If you have a terminal illness, there are special rules to help you get Attendance Allowance without delay. If your doctors say that you are terminally ill and reasonably expected to die within six months, you can get the highest rate of Attendance Allowance straight away and do not have to have had care needs for six months before you claim. You do not have to have been living in the UK for six months in the last year. You will need to ask your doctor/healthcare professional for a form called a DS 1500 and fill in the special rules section of the Attendance Allowance claim form.
Another person, such as your partner, relative or friend can apply for Attendance Allowance on your behalf without your knowledge under the special rules. However, even if someone else makes the claim for you, the money will be paid to you.
Attendance Allowance will usually be paid in addition to any other benefits and it does not depend on how much other money you have.
You can spend Attendance Allowance as you want. You do not have to spend it on someone looking after you.
It is usually paid into your bank or building society account. However you can arrange to get it at a post office in some cases. It can be paid for a minimum of six months or longer if you carry on having care needs. If you go into hospital, it will stop after four weeks.
If you start to get Attendance Allowance, it might increase the amount of other benefits or credits you have a right to. For example, you may get extra:
Attendance Allowance is normally ignored as income for working out these benefits.
Also if you start getting Attendance Allowance, someone looking after you might have the right to a benefit called Carer's Allowance.
It is paid at two rates depending on how often you need care.
The lower rate is £49.30 a week. You get this if you need frequent care throughout the day or night.
The higher rate is £73.60 a week. You get this if you need frequent care throughout the day and night or if you are terminally ill.
Attendance Allowance is not a taxable benefit.
Claim on form DS2.You can get this by phoning the Benefits Enquiry Line on 0800 882200. They can also help you fill it in over the phone.
Or you could get a claim pack sent to you by filling in leaflet DS704, which you can get from post offices and local benefits offices.
You can also get the Attendance Allowance form (link opens in a new window) from the Directgov website or in Northern Ireland from the Department for Social Development's website (link opens in a new window) in Northern Ireland.
You can also claim AA online (link opens in a new window) on the Department for Work and Pensions website or, in Northern Ireland, claim AA online (link opens in a new window) on the Department for Social Development’s website.
Part of the form must be filled in by someone who knows about your care needs. This could be a friend, relative or carer.
After your claim form is received, you may have to have a medical examination although this would not usually happen.
You cannot make a backdated claim for Attendance Allowance.
You have to give your national insurance number and evidence of who you are, for example, a driving licence or birth certificate.
There are many organisations to help you if you have a disability. They can give you general information, as well as information about Attendance Allowance. See Useful Links.
For general enquiries about Attendance Allowance, you can call the Benefit Enquiry helpline on: 0800 882 200.
Once you have made a claim for Attendance Allowance, you can get further advice from the Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance Helpline who should have access to your records. You can call them on: 08457 123 456.
The Citizens Advice website can give you more information about Attendance Allowance (link opens in a new
The Government's website Directgov has more information on Attendance Allowance (link opens in a new window) .
Find an adviser tool.
Frequently asked questions relating to Attendance Allowance
This information has been produced by Citizens Advice.
Last updated: 11 April 2011
Visit the Elizabeth Finn Care website
Turn2us - to access benefits & grants.
