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Attendance Allowance
The Attendance Allowance is the main disability benefit for people who are aged 65 or over, and who have care or supervision needs.
Depending on the level of your care or supervision needs, the Attendance Allowance can be paid at one of two different rates. In order to qualify, you must need frequent help or supervision with personal care, such as washing, dressing, un-dressing, and using the toilet – not for domestic chores like cleaning, shopping or gardening.
The Allowance is based on the help or supervision that you need, not the help that you actually receive. If you are awarded the Attendance Allowance, it is entirely up to you whether you use the money to pay for someone to care for you or not – you can use the money to pay for whatever you would find most useful.
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Do I qualify?
You will qualify for the Attendance Allowance if:
- You are aged 65 or over
- You have care or supervision needs either throughout the day, throughout the night, or throughout the day and night
- You have had these needs for at least the past six months
However, if, in the opinion of your doctor, you are terminally ill, it is automatically assumed that you have care needs and you will be treated as satisfying the day and night conditions.
How much will I receive?
There are two rates of Attendance Allowance:
- The higher rate of Attendance Allowance is £62.25 each week, and is paid if you require frequent care or supervision throughout the day and night.
- The lower rate of Attendance Allowance is £41.65 each week, and is paid if you require frequent care throughout the day or night.
How do I claim?
You will need to complete the Attendance Allowance claim form (AA1) in order to make your claim.
You can obtain the Attendance Allowance claim pack (AA1A) either by contacting your nearest Jobcentre Plus Office, your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), or you can contact the Benefits Enquiry Line (BEL) by ringing 0800 88 22 00 (if you have speech or hearing difficulties and you use a text phone, then dial 0800 24 33 55).
Alternatively, you can download the form from the Department for Work and Pensions website by logging on to www.dwp.gov.uk, or by clicking your mouse on the following link:
Please click here to download the Attendance Allowance claim pack (AA1A)
Is there anything else I should know?
Attendance Allowance will only be awarded after you have satisfied the qualifying conditions for at least six months – if it hasn’t been six months yet, but you are likely to continue needing help for some time, put your claim in now so that you will be paid as soon as you become entitled.
If you are able to claim Attendance Allowance, then you should also qualify for a Christmas Bonus – for more information, please click here
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