Attendance Allowance form

www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/how-to-claim

Attendance Allowance helpline
Telephone: 0800 731 0122

I have to ask nannycake, if you’re online to look at the websites could you fill in the form online?

It’ll be processed so much more quickly.

🙂

Please get Age UK to help you claim. They will send for the form for you. They sent out date stamped and need to be returned with in set period (I think 6 weeks)

There gave been lots of threads suggesting that it is far better to get help filling in the form.

Yes, get help filling in the form from Age UK or CAB. I helped fill it for my late MIL along with two sisters and it was tricky. It's more intended to stop claims than allow them in my opinion.

Totally agree about getting help to fill in the form if you possibly can. I'm no stranger to dealing with official forms etc and even I found it a struggle. Also bear in mind that apparently 68% of AA claims are rejected, so if your claim is turned down, you do have the right to first ask for it to be reconsidered, and then to appeal. Good luck. I was successful in claiming for my MiL, but my FiL's claim was turned down, so I'm now in the process of appealing that.

Thank you for the helpful comments. I’ll try and do it online before I think about a paper copy.

If the answers are so critical and important I'd want to get a solicitor or some other professional who advocates for my interests to fill it in for me.

Do not think a solicitor would be of any help with these forms. I found it very straight forward and simple when I completed my application a few years back - for physical not mental problems. Just answered totally truthfully as for the worst times.

Was awarded Higher level backdated to date I asked for the form in the first place

People approach these sort of forms with such trepidation - rather than just listing the reality of their lives.

3 weeks ago I filled in the Higher level form for a friend of mine who is 92 and registered sight impaired. One would have thought she would be sent the money automatically but no, we had to work out how long it takes for her to get in and out of bed, turn over in bed etc. Amazingly she does not go to bed with a stopwatch and notebook.

I filled in that form similar to the way I filled in my own Blue Badge application and we are waiting for a decision.

I suggest you scroll through the questions online first because from memory I think evidence of where you live etc is required.

Please do not give up and get help if you need it.

Franbern, it's definitely more difficult when you are filling it in on behalf of someone else, as was the case for me when I had to do it for the in-laws.

Nannycake, ask Age Concern to help. These forms depend on the way questions are answered

Please, please, get AgeUk to help. That is the advice in the majority of posts here.

Co-incidentally I started to fill in the online form for Attendance Allowance today but was stumped on a couple of the questions, so as advised by friends, I contacted Age UK to ask if they could help, but they can only do so if there's an AGE UK in your area (there isn't in mine) so just a warning that AGE UK can't help in every case...

If successful, payment of AA should be backdated to the date you first contacted them. Would agree about getting advice completing the form. If initially refused always appeal.

silverlining48

If successful, payment of AA should be backdated to the date you first contacted them. Would agree about getting advice completing the form. If initially refused always appeal.

That's correct. We applied for AA for both my in-laws back in July, but my MiL's was only approved last week - the payment has been backdated to July, however.

Useful information here.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/claiming-attendance-allowance/help-with-attendance-allowance-form/

Plenty of advice to read, before you start. Eg keep a diary.

It’s certainly advised to get Age U.K. to help you fill them in - they know the ‘trigger’ words or phrases to use. Plus you need to state how things are on the worst day (or night or both) - definitely don’t gloss over anything.

I did it myself for FiL but that was ages ago now - they’ve probably tightened up quite a bit since then.

Iam64

Nannycake, ask Age Concern to help. These forms depend on the way questions are answered

Yes, I agree. I am sure they are designed in such a way as to deliberately create confusion in the hope that people won't bother applying!
My Advice to anyone applying..........read each question several times before answering.........Good Luck! and I mean that sincerely.

Another vote here for asking Age UK to help with the form. They were great with supporting a very aged relative. (He received the full amount, which helped to pay for a daily carer.)

I would like to agree with all those recommending Age UK. Their help was invaluable. They know what they're doing and the form is long and difficult to complete on your own.

I agree - a solicitor would be a waste of money. It needs someone who is used to 'social care speak' and knows the right buttons to press. Age UK is possible or CAB or someone who has done it before. Don't hesitate to appeal if you get rejected.

Until Covid I volunteered for Citizens Advice and we filled in hundreds of AA and other forms for clients. Please ask them for help

Some time back it took me three attempts to get the lower Attendance Allowance. Now that my condition has worsened I decided to apply for the upper end. After struggling to fill in the form I find that I can only get it if I need help at night. It is during the day that I have to pay for more help

My severely disabled friend applied unsuccessfully four times for attendance allowance, was on the verge of giving up, when social services visited on an unrelated matter. She explained her frustration, they completed a form there and then and her application was approved immediately!!! So, do get official help, it really does help xxxx. Good luck to all needy applicants xx