Independent Age is urging older individuals with disabilities or long-term health conditions to verify their eligibility for Attendance Allowance. This non-means-tested, tax-free benefit can provide either £72.65 or £108.55 per week, depending on the level of support required.
- Payment Frequency: Every four weeks
- Amounts: £290.60 or £434.20
This extra money can be used flexibly to meet personal needs and help maintain independence at home. It does not need to be spent on a carer.
Contents
Fran McSweeney, Head of National Services at Independent Age, has created two videos to help break down barriers to claiming. She advises:
- Keep a Daily Diary: Document your daily activities and challenges.
- Take Your Time: Answer questions thoroughly, even if they seem repetitive.
Independent Age suggests the following tips for filling out the form:
- Detail Your Condition: Explain how your condition affects daily life and personal tasks.
- Answer All Questions: Provide examples and specifics.
- Include Time and Help Needed: Mention how long tasks take and the help required.
- Describe Variability: Explain how your needs change and the severity of difficulties.
- Mention Avoided Tasks: Highlight tasks you avoid due to difficulty.
- Explain Consequences: Describe what happens when you don’t receive the necessary care.
- Send Supporting Information: Include documents from carers, GPs, or consultants.
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Attendance Allowance Statistics
As of November 2023, 1,571,519 people across Great Britain were claiming Attendance Allowance, including 140,716 in Scotland.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance helps cover extra costs for those with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or illnesses that make self-care challenging. It does not cover mobility needs, and you do not need a carer to claim.
Who Can Claim?
You should apply if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision during the day or night, even if you don’t currently receive that help. This includes:
- Personal Care: Dressing, eating, drinking, getting in/out of bed, bathing, showering, and using the toilet.
- Safety: Help to stay safe.
You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, such as:
- Mental Health Conditions
- Learning Difficulties
- Sensory Conditions: Deafness or visual impairment
Main Disabling Conditions
The following conditions are commonly supported by Attendance Allowance:
Condition |
Examples |
|---|---|
Arthritis |
Spondylosis, Back Pain |
Muscle/Bone/Joint Diseases |
Trauma to Limbs |
Sensory Disorders |
Visual and Hearing Disorders |
Heart and Respiratory Diseases |
Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis |
Neurological Diseases |
Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease |
Chronic Pain Syndromes |
Diabetes Mellitus, Metabolic Disease |
Mental Health Conditions |
Psychosis, Psychoneurosis, Personality Disorder |
Other Conditions |
Dementia, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Renal Disorders, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Blood Disorders, Skin Disease, Malignant Disease, Severe Mental Impairment, Double Amputee, Deaf/Blind, Haemodialysis, Frailty, Total Parenteral Nutrition, AIDS, Infectious Diseases (e.g., COVID-19) |
Attendance Allowance also supports 43,295 people with terminal illnesses.
How Much Could You Get?
- £72.65: If you need help during the day or night.
- £108.55: If you need help during the day and night, or if terminally ill.
Payments are made every four weeks, totaling £290.60 or £434.20 per pay period. The money can be used for:
- Taxis
- Bills
- Cleaner or Gardener
Eligibility and Other Benefits
- Savings and Income: Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so savings and other income do not affect eligibility.
- State Pension: Attendance Allowance does not affect your State Pension and can be claimed even if you are working.
- Other Benefits: Other benefits such as Extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit Reduction, and Council Tax Reduction may be affected.
How to Make a Claim
To claim Attendance Allowance, complete a long claim form. Citizens Advice offers assistance. Full details on obtaining the form by post or phone are available on the GOV.UK website.
Considerations for State Pension Age
If you are nearing State Pension age, consider claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead, as it may offer more money.
Who Cannot Claim?
You cannot receive an Attendance Allowance if you are already getting a PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA). If you apply for an Attendance Allowance while already receiving DLA, the DWP will review your DLA award.
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