Overview
Attendance Allowance is extra money to help with your care needs if you've reached pension age. It can help you stay independent in your own home for longer.
It's a welfare benefit that lots of people are entitled to but don't know enough about it to claim.
You need to have had an illness or disability, for at least the last 6 months, that makes it difficult for you to look after yourself.
It's not means tested so your earnings or savings will not affect what you get.
What you can spend Attendance Allowance on
It's up to you how you spend your Attendance Allowance but it can help to make your life easier.
For example:
- it could pay for a cleaner or gardener, if you need some help around your home
- it could pay for taxis, if public transport is now proving difficult for you
- you could put it towards your bills
- it could go towards daily living aids
How much you might get
There are two levels of payment and the amount you get will depend on how much help you need.
You can view the current weekly figures at Attendance Allowance: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Other help you might be able to get if you are claiming Attendance Allowance
Other help will depend on your circumstances, but you might be able to get support with:
- Council Tax
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
It could support your application for a Blue Badge and you could also get a Disabled Person's Railcard.
How to claim
You can claim at GOV.UK.
Help with claiming
You can find lots of useful information about filling in the Attendance Allowance form on the websites of Age UK and Citizens Advice. Both organisations can help you with your application if you would prefer to talk to someone.