Benefits

What is it?

Attendance Allowance is a non-contributory, tax-free, non means-tested benefit for severely disabled people over 65 years of age. It caters for care needs and is paid at two rates, depending on the level of help someone needs with their personal care.

• There are special rules for people with a terminal illness to help them get Attendance Allowance quickly and easily for care.
• 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 or residential care.
• 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 Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

Who can claim?

To be eligible for Attendance Allowance, a claimant must:·

• be normally living in the UK and currently living in the UK and have been here for at least 26 weeks out of the last 52;
• be aged 65 or over;
• have satisfied the disability conditions continuously for six months immediately before their award and will continue to satisfy the conditions for a further six months;
• not be receiving Disability Living Allowance.

How do you satisfy the disability conditions?

People may be able to get Attendance Allowance for help with personal care, even if no one actually gives them any help. The help must be needed frequently throughout the day or through the day and night.

The person must need:

• help with washing, dressing, using the toilet, medication, treatment, mobility indoors, seeing etc.;
• someone to keep an eye on them.

Claim packs can be obtained from any local Department for Work and Pensions office or by telephoning 0800 882200 or 08457 123456.

More information is available on the Department of Work and Pensions website (www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/attendance_allowance.asp#what).

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