Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision, either during the day or at night, due to a physical or mental disability. This benefit is designed for those who have a long-term health condition that requires assistance with daily activities, including conditions like sensory disabilities such as blindness, or learning difficulties.

Who Can Qualify?

You may qualify if you have a health condition that means you need help with everyday tasks. Attendance Allowance is available whether you live at home or in a care home, provided you meet the eligibility criteria. Importantly, you do not need to have a caregiver to make a claim - the decision is based on the level of help you reasonably need, not the assistance you currently receive.

Key Benefits of Attendance Allowance

• Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so your income or savings won’t affect your eligibility.
• Receiving it will not reduce any other benefits you are currently claiming. In fact, it could increase benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit.
• Payments are tax-free and will not count as income for tax purposes.

Impact on Local Authority Care

If you receive local authority-funded care at home or in a care home, your Attendance Allowance may be considered as income during the financial assessment. Payments will stop if you receive local authority funding for more than 28 days.

Support for Carers

If you are awarded Attendance Allowance and have a regular carer, they may be eligible to claim Carer’s Allowance, offering additional financial support for those who help you regularly.

Application Process

The processing time for an Attendance Allowance application is typically around 40 working days. Payments can be backdated to the date your claim form was received. If you are applying on behalf of someone who has a terminal illness and is not expected to live longer than six months, there are special rules to fast-track the claim. These applications are generally processed within eight working days. To start you claim visit Attendance Allowance: How to claim - GOV.UK

You will need the following:

• your National Insurance number
• your address and contact details
• details of the health condition or disability that you need extra help for
• details of your GP surgery or medical centre