Attendance allowance
Attendance allowance can be paid to a person with a disability who:-
* is aged 65 or over; and
* is not permanently in hospital or living in accommodation provided by or funded by a local authority; and
* has lived in the UK for 6 out of the last 12 months, actually lives in the UK when s/he claims and normally lives in the UK, unless s/he is terminally ill; and
* has care needs - see below.
Care needs
A person will have care needs if s/he:-
* needs help with ‘bodily functions’, for example, washing, dressing and going to the toilet. It can also include help which enables someone to take part in social activities; and/or
* needs supervision to stop her/himself being a danger to her/himself or others; and/or
* is terminally ill.
It does not matter if no one is providing the person with care, but s/he must show that s/he needs the care.
If you are not sure whether your care needs meet the entitlement conditions, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB .
How much will the claimant get
Attendance allowance is paid at two rates:-
* the lower rate is paid to somebody who needs frequent care throughout the day or night. From 12 April 2004, the lower rate is £39.35.
* the higher rate is paid to someone who needs frequent care throughout the day and the night, or who is terminally ill. From 12 April 2004, the higher rate is £58.80.
Attendance allowance will be paid as long as the person has care needs and may be awarded for a fixed or indefinite period. It cannot be paid until the person has had care needs for six months. This time limit does not apply if the person is terminally ill. Attendance allowance will stop after four weeks in hospital.
How to claim attendance allowance
A person can claim attendance allowance by:-
* telephoning the Benefits Enquiry Line (BEL) (Tel: 0800 882200)
* obtaining a claim pack by completing leaflet DS704, available from post offices and social security offices. Some organisations are also authorised to hold packs, for example, Citizens’ Advice Bureaux.
* obtaining a claim pack from the website
www.dwp.gov.uk. Two versions of the form may be available on the website, one which can be printed off and completed by hand and the other can be filled in online, although the claimant will need to print the form in order to sign it.
The claim form for attendance allowance is lengthy and you can get help with filling it in. You can use the forms completion service provided via the Benefits Enquiry Line (see under heading Telephone helpline for sick and disabled people and carers). Alternatively you could consult an experienced adviser, for example, a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.