Your guide to attendance allowance

If you, or someone you know, has a disability, and are aged 65 or over, you may qualify for attendance allowance. We asked our friends at Age UK to explain what this is, and who can claim it.

You, or someone you care for, could be missing out on extra money if you are coping with a disability or long-term health condition. You may not have heard of Attendance Allowance, but it could make a big difference to the kind of support you can get. It’s paid to people who need help with personal care or keeping safe because of a physical or mental illness or disability.

There are two weekly rates, depending on the help needed:

• £54.45 if help is needed during the day or at night
• £81.30 if help is needed during the day and at night

Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested, so it doesn’t matter what the person in question earns or how much they have in savings. It’s based purely on care or supervision needs.

Many applications are turned down because they aren’t clear about how the specific illness or disability affects their lives. Don’t underestimate the applicant's needs or leave things out, even if you (or they) feel you can manage well enough. Think about whether help is needed with:

• getting in and out of the bath or shower
• washing or drying your hair
• doing up buttons, shoelaces and fastenings
• managing a condition such as diabetes
• using the toilet at night
• navigating stairs
• taking your medication for angina or asthma attacks
• understanding or hearing people, or being understood by them.

There are plenty more examples of common care needs in Age UK’s guide Attendance Allowance.

So - what might stop someone from making a claim? Are they telling themselves any of the following things?

“I don’t have a carer.”
That doesn’t matter. You qualify based on the help you need, not the help you actually get.

“I don’t want a carer coming in!”
You don’t have to spend your Attendance Allowance on a carer. Many people spend it on other types of help in the home, or equipment to help them stay independent.

“I applied a while ago but my claim was turned down.”
Then perhaps your circumstances have changed since you last applied. If your needs have increased, you may find you’re now eligible.

“The claim form’s too long.”
Ask your local Age UK if they can help you fill it in. Call Age UK Advice free on 0800 169 6565 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk to find your nearest one.

Think you, or someone you know, might be eligible? Then call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0845 605 6055 (textphone: 0845 604 5312) for a claim form. Or you can download a form or claim online.

Visit Age UK’s website to find out more about Attendance Allowance and download the guide about it.