Attendance Allowance
Key information
Attendance Allowance is money for people aged 65 or over
who have care needs
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and
Northern Ireland
Age rules: You must be 65 or over
Type of benefit: Non
means tested
Taxable: No
Administered by: Disability and Carers
Service.
Index
You can read through this information sheet, or go directly to
the sections you want to read by clicking on these links:
Who does it help?
Attendance Allowance is money for people 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. 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 a 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 Attendance Allowance. This rule does not
apply if you are terminally ill.
If you are aged under 65 and have care or mobility needs, see
Disability Living Allowance or
Personal Independence Payment.
Back to
top
Rules for people who have a terminal illness
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.
Back to
top
What help does the benefit provide?
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 are entitled to. For
example, you may get extra:
Attendance Allowance is normally ignored as income for working
out other benefits.
Also if you start getting Attendance Allowance, someone looking
after you might be able to claim a benefit called Carer's
Allowance.
Back to
top
How much does it pay?
It is paid at two rates depending on how often you need
care.
The lower rate is £53.00 a week. You get this if you need
frequent care throughout the day or night.
The higher rate is £79.15 a week. You get this if you need
frequent care throughout the day and night or if you are terminally
ill.
If you receive Attendence Allowance you also qualify for a
Christmas Bonus each year. This is usually £10. You do not
need to make a claim for the bonus it is paid automatically. It
does not affect any other benefits you might get.
Back to
top
How do I make a claim?
Online Claim
Claim online at the
Department for Work and Pensions website (link opens in a new
window)
Paper Claim
Phone the Benefit Enquiry Line for a claim form:
Telephone: 0800 88 22 00
Textphone: 0800 24 33 55
Download a claim form from
the Gov.UK website (link opens in a new window)
In Northern Ireland
Phone the Benefit Enquiry Line for a claim form:
Telephone: 0800 22 06 74
Textphone: 0800 24 37 87
Phone the Disability and Carer’s Service for a claim form:
Telephone: 028 9090 6178
Textphone: 0800 243 787
Download
a claim form from the NI Direct website (link opens in a new
window)
After your claim form is received, you may have to have a
medical examination although this would not usually happen.
Back to
top
What documents will I need?
You have to give your national insurance number and evidence of
who you are, for example, a driving licence or birth
certificate.
Back to
top
Can it be backdated?
A claim for Attendance Allowance cannot be backdated. The date
of your claim will be the date you call and ask for a claim form as
long as you complete and return it within the time given. If you
download a claim it will be the date your completed claim form is
received.
Back to
top
Challenging decisions
If you disagree with the decision made on your benefit claim you
can ask for a written statement of reasons. If you still believe
the decision is wrong, for example due to incorrect information
being used, you can ask for it to be looked at again, and/or
appeal.
The time limits are strict, you will usually be given one
month to dispute a decision, so it is important to seek advice and
act quickly.
Further information on Challenges and
complaints
Back to
top
Change of circumstance
You must report changes in your circumstances
which might affect your entitlement to this benefit
Back to top
Further help
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.
Back to
top
Benefits Cap and Attendance Allowance
If you or your partner receive Attendance Allowance, you will be
exempt from the Benefit Cap.
Back to
top
Last updated: 8 April 2013
Turn2us - to access benefits & grants.
