Attendance Allowance

If you need help looking after yourself

If you became ill or disabled and needed help on or after your 65th birthday claim Attendance Allowance.

If you are under 65 years old claim Disability Living Allowance.

Paid at different rates

If YES, claim Attendance Allowance.

There are special rules for people with a terminal illness to help them get benefit quickly and easily.

You can get Attendance Allowance even if no one is actually giving you the care you need.

You may not get Attendance Allowance if you are in hospital , a care home or somewhere similar.

Attendance Allowance is not affected by savings.

Attendance Allowance is not usually affected by other money you have coming in.

Attendance Allowance is usually ignored as income for working out Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance.

When to claim

Claim straight away. If you delay you may lose benefit.

Claim Form

Contact the Disability and Carers Service on (028) 9090 6178 or your Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office for a claim form. For your nearest Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office, look for the Social Security Agency display advert in the business numbers section of the phone book.

Filling in the form

Before you fill in your form, check that you are applying for everything you may be entitled to.

Proof of identity

It is important that we can be sure of your identity when you make a claim. We may need to ask you about your background and look at any official documents you have to support the information you give. This could be your original birth certificate, passport or other documents. You may need more than one.

If you are not sure about this, get leaflet GL25 "How to prove your identity" from your Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office.