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It is a tax-free benefit paid to people, aged 65 or over, who need help with their personal care because of an illness or disability. You don't have to have paid National Insurance contributions to qualify.
Attendance Allowance is not affected by any savings and is not usually affected by any other money you have coming in.
There are two rates of benefit payable - lower rate for day or night care or higher rate for day and night care.
You may be able to get Attendance Allowance if you are aged 65 or over and need help with personal care because of an illness or disability.
You may be able to get Attendance Allowance for help with personal care even if no one actually gives you that help. You could need help with personal care because you:
- need help with, for example, washing, dressing, using the bathroom or something like this;
- need someone to keep an eye on you; or
- need someone with you when you are on dialysis.
Normally, you can only get Attendance Allowance if you have needed help for six months.
Special Rules apply to those who are not expected to live longer than six months because of an illness.
If you are terminally ill and are unlikely to live longer than 6 months you should ask your doctor to complete form DS1500 and send it to Disability and Carers Service with your claim form.
For as long as you satisfy the qualifying conditions. Awards may be for a limited period or for an indefinite period.
Rates of Attendance AllowanceEffective from 8 April 2008
£67.00 Higher Rate (Paid if you need help both day and night)
£44.85 Lower Rate (Paid if you need help during the day or night)
Attendance Allowance is withdrawn after 28 days or an aggregate of 28 days in hospital, a care home or somewhere similar.
Special Rules apply if you are not expected to live longer than six months because of an illness.
The Special Rules mean that you will qualify for help at the higher rate of Attendance Allowance straight away, even if no help is needed.
You should claim straight away.
If you are claiming under the Special Rules you should ask your doctor to complete form DS1500 and send it to the Disability and Carers Service with your claim form.
Claims for Attendance Allowance include a section for your own assessment of how your illness or disability affects you. Some people who complete the self assessment questionnaire will be asked to undergo a medical examination. If you do not want to fill in the self assessment part you can ask for a medical examination instead.
It is taken fully into account when topping up fees for a care home or somewhere similar for Income Support purposes.
If you start to get Attendance Allowance it might increase other benefits you are getting, for example Income Support or Housing Benefit.
To obtain further information ring:
Benefit Enquiry Line:
Telephone: 0800 220 674
Textphone: 0800 243 787 (for people with speech or hearing problems)
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