Attendance Allowance is a benefit provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for people over state pension age who require help with personal care or supervision because of an illness, disability or mental health condition. Successful claims can result in weekly payments of £72.65 or £108.55, depending on the level of support required.
These payments are made every four weeks, totalling £290.60 or £434.20 respectively. This additional income can be used as the recipient sees fit to meet their needs and remain independent in their own home – it does not necessarily have to be spent on a carer.
This tax-free benefit, designed specifically to help older people, doesn’t affect any other government support you receive. The charity Independent Age has produced a factsheet to guide new claimants through the application process, along with seven top tips for filling in the form. According to the latest DWP data from November 2023, 1,571,519 people in the UK, including 140,716 in Scotland, were claiming the benefit.
It is important to note that Attendance Allowance is not income-based. Unlike Pension Credit, it does not take into account pension income or savings, the Daily Record reports.
Tips for completing the Attendance Allowance application form
Independent Age advises: “The decision-maker will use your application form to determine whether you are eligible for Attendance Allowance, so it is important to provide as much detail as possible.”
They advise anyone completing the form to:
-
Explain how your condition affects your daily life and what personal tasks you have difficulty with.
-
Please answer all questions if you can and provide examples
-
Indicate how much time it takes to complete specific tasks and how much help you need, even if no one is available to help you.
-
Explain how your needs change and how bad your difficulties may be if some days are better than others.
-
List all the things you avoid doing because they are difficult for you – for example, if it is difficult to bend down and reach to put socks on and take them off, even when you are sitting
-
Explain what will happen if you don’t get the care you need, especially if it puts you at risk of falls or makes it difficult for you to cope.
-
If possible, please include supporting information, for example from your caregiver, GP or specialist.
For further help and guidance, you can visit the Independent Age website here or contact them on 0800 319 6789. Below is a brief overview of the benefit to help you decide whether you – or a family member – should apply.
What is an attendance fee?
The Attendance Allowance is intended to cover additional costs if you have a disability, physical or mental health condition or illness that is so severe that self-care is a challenge. The Attendance Allowance does not cover mobility needs.
You do not need to have a caregiver to be eligible for a claim.
Who is eligible?
You are encouraged to apply for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and require assistance or supervision during the day or occasionally at night, even if you are not currently receiving that support.
This may include the following:
-
Assistance with personal care, such as dressing, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and going to the toilet.
-
Support to ensure your safety.
You should also consider applying if you have challenges with personal tasks, for example if they are time-consuming, cause pain or if you need physical support such as a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance is not exclusive to people with a physical disability or illness.
You may also consider applying if you require assistance or supervision during the day or night due to:
Main Disabling Conditions for Attendance Allowance
The main disabling conditions for Attendance Allowance are based on data from the DWP’s Attendance Allowance computer system. The DWP notes that where multiple conditions are present, the primary disabling condition is reported.
It is vital to understand that this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance, but rather a guide to the types of conditions that are supported. If you require additional support during the day or at night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, please refer to the official eligibility guidance on the GOV.UK website here.
-
Arthritis
-
Spondylosis
-
Backache
-
Disease of the muscles, bones or joints
-
Trauma to limbs
-
Visual disorders and diseases
-
Hearing disorders
-
Heart disease
-
Respiratory disorders and diseases
-
Asthma
-
Cystic fibrosis
-
Cerebrovascular disease
-
Peripheral vascular disease
-
Epilepsy
-
Neurological diseases
-
Multiple sclerosis
-
Parkinson’s disease
-
Motor neuron disease
-
Chronic pain syndromes
-
Diabetes
-
Metabolic disease
-
Traumatic spinal cord injury/tetraplegia
-
Severe trauma other than traumatic paraplegia/tetraplegia
-
Learning difficulties
-
Psychosis
-
Psychoneurosis
-
Personality disorder
-
Dementia
-
Conduct disorder
-
Alcohol and drug abuse
-
Hyperkinetic syndrome
-
Kidney disorders
-
Inflammatory bowel disease
-
Bowel and stomach disease
-
blood disease
-
Haemophilia
-
Multisystem disorders
-
Multiple Allergy Syndrome
-
Skin disease
-
Malignant disease
-
Severely mentally handicapped
-
Double amputation
-
Deaf blind
-
Hemodialysis
-
Vulnerability
-
Complete parental nutrition
-
AIDS
-
Infectious Diseases: Viral Disease – Coronavirus covid-19
How much can I receive with the Attendance Allowance?
You may be eligible for £72.65 if you need help during the day or at night, or £108.55 if you need both day and night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks, meaning you could receive either £290.60 or £434.20 each pay period.
You can spend the money as you wish and it can help you to continue living independently in your own home for longer.
This may include:
Can I claim an Attendance Allowance even if I have savings or other income?
Yes, Attendance Allowance is not means tested, so your other income or savings will not affect it – there is no cap. It is also tax free and you are exempt from the Benefit Cap, so no money is taken from other benefits.
Does the attendance allowance affect my state pension?
No, it does not affect your AOW benefit. You can even claim it if you are still working and earning money.
How does the Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
Your other benefits may increase if you receive an Attendance Allowance, including:
How do I file a claim?
You will need to fill in a lengthy claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. It may seem daunting at first, but you can get help from your nearest Citizens Advice, so don’t let the form put you off applying.
If you prefer to do it yourself, you can follow Citizens Advice’s guide on how to fill in your claim form here . Full details of how to get the claim form by post or telephone can be found on the GOV.UK website here .
What happens when I reach retirement age?
If you are considering claiming Attendance Allowance when you reach state pension age, you may be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away. You may get more money that way.
Who is not eligible for an attendance allowance?
If you are already receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to cover your care costs, you will not be eligible for Attendance Allowance. If you claim Attendance Allowance while receiving DLA, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will usually reassess your DLA award.
You can renew your PIP or DLA when the current award expires, provided you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful, you can then apply for Attendance Allowance.
For more information about Attendance Allowance, please visit the GOV.UK website here.