Published: 02/08/2023
If you have a disability that means you require extra help or supervision around the home, you may be eligible for attendance allowance. This is a form of specialist support that is commonly used to help lessen the financial burden of home support.
If you need a little extra help around the home because of a mental or physical disability, you could be eligible to claim either £68.10 or £101.75 per week to help pay for personal support. This could add up to between £3541.20 and £5291 per year.
For families struggling with the cost of caring for a loved one in their own home, this can be a financial lifeline that enables them to access the care they need. You could put this money towards full or part time care, which would free up time for family members that might be taking on the responsibility of care.
In this guide, we’ll explore what attendance allowance is, who is eligible, how to claim it and how much you can expect to receive. Read on to learn more about this lesser-known form of support to the elderly disabled.
What is attendance allowance?
Attendance allowance is paid directly to you, and can be used in any way you like. It can be used to help with the cost of things like home support.
To qualify for attendance allowance, you will need to be both:
- Physically or mentally disabled
- State Pension age, or older
When you claim attendance allowance, this can also increase the amount of other benefits you receive. Attendance allowance shouldn’t be used for mobility needs, but it can widen access to other support, if required.
Importantly, attendance allowance is not means tested, which means that you don’t have to share details of your income to qualify. How much you earn or how much you have in savings will not impact the outcome of your claim.
Attendance allowance can allow you to stay in your own home and be independent for longer. It can improve your quality of life by allowing you to access home care support when you need it.
Attendance allowance eligibility
To be eligible for attendance allowance, you need to be of State Pension age or older and have a physical or mental disability. You may also be eligible for attendance allowance if you have been given less than 12 months to live by a medical professional.
A physical disability includes sensory disabilities, including blindness. The disability must be severe enough that you need help caring for yourself, or you need supervision, for your own or someone else’s safety. You also need to have needed this help and support for at least 6 months.
You can’t apply for attendance allowance if you are in a care home and your care is paid for by your local authority. If you pay for your care home costs yourself, you can absolutely claim attendance allowance.
You won’t be able to claim attendance allowance if you’re already claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
If it is unclear how your disability affects you, you may be referred for an assessment. If you need an assessment, you’ll get a letter explaining when this will take place and what to expect.
How do I apply for attendance allowance?
The process of claiming attendance allowance is very simple. You fill out one form and return it by post. We’ve linked to the attendance allowance form at the end of this article.
The address is a freepost address, so you don’t need a stamp to return your form. If you don’t have access to a printer, you can call the attendance allowance helpline and request a copy of the form, or alternative formats, such as braille or large print.
Details for the attendance allowance helpline are:
Telephone: 0800 731 0122
Textphone: 0800 731 0317
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 731 0122
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
This line is available from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
What are the current attendance allowance rates?
There are two rates of attendance allowance currently available. These are split into the lower rate and higher rate, depending on the level of support you require.
The lower rate is £68.10 per week. This covers frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night.
The higher rate is £101.75. This covers help of supervision throughout the day and night. You may also be eligible for this support if a medical professional has stated you have less than 12 months to live.
You can report a change in circumstances if you believe that you should be eligible for the higher rate. Your eligibility for attendance allowance can also increase your Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.
Benefits are paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. You are then free to use the support in any way you like. This could be in the form of live in care or occasional support from a homecare provider.
Where can I get the attendance allowance form?
You can download the attendance allowance form here. The form will ask for some basic information, such as your personal details and your contact details.
It will also ask if you have been abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time in the last 3 years. This will help to determine if you are legally based in the EEA, but this will still allow you to claim attendance allowance.
There is the option to have someone else sign the form on your behalf, and they will have to provide their details too.
You will then have to outline any conditions you have, how long you have had this illness or disability, and what medications you are prescribed to treat these, including the dosage.
The form is 30 pages long and quite in-depth, so it’s a good idea to make sure you have someone help you with this step.
Once completed, you should return the form to:
Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance
How will I know if I have been awarded Attendance Allowance?
It typically takes around 30 days to review a claim for attendance allowance, and this may be longer if you require an assessment to better understand your disability. You will receive a decision letter that will tell you if you qualify for attendance allowance and how long you will receive this support.
If your claim is made because you are under end of life care, then your application will be dealt with much more quickly.
