State Pension provides essential financial support for over 12.4 million older people across the UK. This regular payment is available for those who have reached the UK Government’s eligible retirement age, which is now 66 for both men and women.
However, many older people may be missing out on an additional benefit payment they could be eligible to claim which is worth up to £358.40 every four weeks.
Attendance Allowance provides financial support for individuals through extra daily living expenses and can help them stay independent in their own home for longer. Thousands of older people could be entitled to the benefit, but may not know enough about it to make a claim.
To help more people understand the eligibility and claims process, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently created a new online guide, divided into easy-to-read sections to accompany an interactive, downloadable application form.
This easy read guide helps people to understand:
- What Attendance Allowance is
- Who can get Attendance Allowance
- What you will get
- How to claim
- How to report a change in your disability or health condition
- Other help available - Pension Credit and Council Tax Reduction
You can read the full seven-part guide on the GOV.UK website here.
Attendance Allowance application form
The claim form can be downloaded, filled in on screen, saved as you go and then printed before sending by Freepost to the DWP.
It’s important to realise from the outset this application is going to take a bit of time to complete as it’s 29 pages long.
However, as you complete the form, you will be guided through the questions based on the responses you provide, so you may not need to answer all of them.
DWP guidance states that you need to use a PDF reader to open and fill in this form - you can download a free PDF reader from your app store or from the internet.
You can save data typed into the form if you use a PDF reader which means that you do not have to fill in the form in one session, just save and go back to it at anytime.
DWP also advises not to use your device’s browser or, if you are an Apple Mac user, the Preview application.
Key points to remember when filling in the form
This form will only save if it is both:
- Saved onto your computer
- Opened in a recent version of PDF reader
The form will not save in:
- Versions of Acrobat Reader older than version XI
- some other PDF readers, for example Preview on a Mac or Foxit on a PC
Help filling in the form
The DWP has also updated an online booklet containing 12 pages of information about filling in each section of the Attendance Allowance claim form.
This includes:
- Things you will need before you fill in the claim form
- What terminology like ‘help with personal care’ and ‘supervise’ mean
- How Attendance Allowance is worked out
- How your disabilities affect you
- Help with certain questions within the form
- Special rules
- Help and advice about other benefits
- What happens next
You can download the help booklet from the GOV.UK website here.
Where to send the form
Send the completed form to Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance - you do not need a postcode or a stamp.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes it hard for you to look after yourself - it does not cover mobility needs.
You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim.
Who can claim?
You should apply for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you don’t currently get that help.
This might include:
Help with your personal care - for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet
Help to stay safe
You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on.
Attendance Allowance isn’t just for people with a physical disability or illness.
You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:
a mental health condition
learning difficulties
a sensory condition - if you are deaf or visually impaired
How much could I get on Attendance Allowance?
At the moment, you could receive either £60.00 or £89.60 a week depending on the level of care you need because of your condition, which is paid every four weeks and works out at £240 and £358.40 each pay period respectively.
However, Attendance Allowance will increase on Monday, April 11 by 3.1% as part of the DWP benefits uprating.
This means you could receive either:
- Higher rate: £92.40 per week
- Lower rate: £61.85 per week
The uprating means you could receive either £247.40 or £369.60 every four weeks.
You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer.
This might include:
paying for taxis
helping towards bills
paying for a cleaner or gardener
Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income?
Yes. Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested so it doesn't matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings either - there's no limit.
it is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won't have money taken away from any other benefits.
Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension?
No, it won't affect your State Pension and you can even claim it if you're still working and earning money.
How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, these include:
Extra Pension Credit
Housing Benefit Reduction
Council Tax Reduction
What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age?
If you are thinking about applying for Attendance Allowance when you reach State Pension age, you might be better off claiming PIP straight away - you may be able to get more money.
If you claim PIP and get it, the amount you receive will depend on your circumstances and how your disability or illness affects you.
Find out more about claiming PIP near State Pension age here.
Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?
You won't be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or DLA to pay for your care.
If you apply for Attendance Allowance while getting DLA, the DWP will usually reassess your DLA award instead.
You can renew your PIP or DLA when the existing award ends as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria.
If your renewal is unsuccessful you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
Find out more about Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.
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