Everything You Need to Know About Attendance Allowance

I’m always shocked when I learn that one of our Right at Home, Maidenhead clients doesn’t know about Attendance Allowance. It’s often the case that their GP hasn’t mentioned it to them, it has slipped their mind or it’s a genuine surprise that this benefit is available.

The majority of them will have worked their whole lives and paid their National Insurance and tax throughout yet can feel they’re not eligible to anything in return. Occasionally a client will be too proud to claim any of their entitlements, but we always encourage them to do so. In some cases, even a relatively modest payment can make the world of difference to the quality of their lives.

What Is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is extra money you can claim if you’re over State Pension age and need regular help with your personal care. It is non-means tested, so you can claim it whatever your income or savings.

Who can claim Attendance Allowance?

You may qualify for Attendance Allowance if you:

• Are over State Pension age.
• Have a long-term physical or mental illness or disability. This can include sensory conditions such as sight and hearing loss, mental health issues and cognitive impairments such as dementia
• Have needed help with personal care or regular supervision from someone else for at least six months. Personal care tasks could include things like washing and bathing, dressing and undressing, getting in or out of bed, and taking medication – many of the tasks that our Right at Home carers help with.

If you're terminally ill, you can claim Attendance Allowance straightaway.

How much is Attendance Allowance worth?

Attendance Allowance is paid at two different rates depending on the level of care you need.

Lower Rate: £60 per week – if you need care or supervision during either the day or night

Higher Rate: £89.60 per week – if you need care or supervision during both the day and the night.

Your level of income or savings aren’t taken into account when deciding if you qualify for Attendance Allowance, so anyone can claim it regardless of their financial situation. You don’t have to spend your Attendance Allowance on care – it’s up to you how you spend the money.

Attendance Allowance will not reduce other benefits you receive, such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support. In some cases, you may even find that being awarded Attendance Allowance means you’re entitled to higher rates of these other benefits, due to your extra needs.

How to Apply for Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is awarded by the Department of Work and Pensions so you will need a claim form that can be downloaded by clicking on this link: Attendance Allowance Claim Form

You can also call the Attendance Allowance Hotline on 0800 7310122.

The claim form is long and contains 52 questions so it can be useful to ask someone to help you complete it. If you are already a client and have regular Right at Home carer visits you can ask if they will help you.

Or alternatively I would recommend contact Grey Matters Consultancy and speaking to Caroline who can help fill out the form with your loved one for a fee. She will take away the hassle and pretty much guarantees results. https://www.grey-matters-consultancy.com/contact-us/

Helpful Tips for filling in your Attendance Allowance claim

The decision maker at the DWP will use your claim form to work out whether you qualify for Attendance Allowance, so it’s important to give as much detail as possible.

You should:

• Explain how your condition affects your day-to-day life and what personal tasks you have difficulties with
• Answer as many questions as you can and give examples  
• Include the time it takes you to carry out specific tasks and how much help you need with them, even if there’s no one to help you
• Explain how your needs change and how bad your difficulties can be if some days are better than others
• Mention any things you avoid doing because they’re difficult for you – for example, if it’s difficult bending and reaching to put on and take off shoes even while you’re sitting down
• Explain what happens when you don’t receive the care you need, especially if this has left you at risk of falls or struggling to manage
• Send supporting information - for example, from your carer, GP or consultant.

Some people find that if they’ve lived with their health problem for a long time, they overlook or underestimate their difficulties, so it’s a good idea to get help to fill in the form. 

Receiving the Allowance

It can take up-to four weeks for a decision to be made and in some cases the allowance will start from when you applied.

The DWP will contact you by letter which will tell you whether you’ve been awarded Attendance Allowance, and the rate that you’re eligible for. You’ll either be awarded indefinitely or for a fixed period.

Getting Attendance Allowance also means that you may be entitled to an increase in any means-tested benefits or tax credits you're currently receiving. If you don't receive any, you may become eligible for the first time. 

Why apply for Attendance Allowance?

We have all seen how inflation is taking off for the first time in many years and that the cost of living is rising with the knock-on effect of increased electricity and heating costs.

Even if you are comfortably-off a small extra income that you are entitled to can make a lot of difference. If you don’t already receive Attendance Allowance you should ask your Right at Home carer to help and apply as soon as you can.