The benefit assists people with disabilities, chronic illnesses and mental or physical health conditions.
The catalogue of conditions covered by Attendance Allowance is extensive, encompassing nearly 50 different ailments, though arthritis remains the most prevalent disabling condition – a broad term employed by the DWP – supporting 508,964 people throughout Great Britain.
For those contemplating a fresh application for Attendance Allowance, GOV.UK guidance indicates that the new digital service will only process a « limited number of applications each week ».
Online applications cannot be completed using mobile phones or tablets – a desktop or laptop computer is required.
People may also apply via post by either downloading and submitting the Attendance Allowance claim form from GOV.UK here, or by telephoning the helpline on 0800 731 0122 to request one. For those submitting applications by post, the DWP has recently revised its guidance to emphasise that claimants should « write anything except the Freepost address on the envelope » – they also confirmed it requires neither a postcode nor a stamp.
Regarding the online application system, a DWP spokesperson said: « We are temporarily testing a new online service to make claiming Attendance Allowance easier and to improve accessibility. While the online service is not yet widely available, no-one will miss out on the benefit as claimants can still apply in the usual way by post. »
Attendance Allowance and PADP provide either £295.60 (lower rate) or £441.60 (higher rate) every four-week payment period.
The amount someone receives depends on the level of support required and the benefit is designed to assist people of State Pension age with daily living costs which can also help them remain independent in their own home for longer.
There is no mobility component attached to Attendance Allowance or PADP.
Main health conditions
Attendance Allowance provides support with additional costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes it difficult for you to care for yourself – it does not cover mobility requirements. You do not need to have someone providing care for you in order to submit a claim.
The following list is not a guide for claiming Attendance Allowance, but rather an aid to help individuals understand the types of conditions that are supported.
If you require additional assistance during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, it’s recommended to review the official eligibility guidance for Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website.
Here are the top 10 most-claimed Attendance Allowance health conditions:
- Arthritis – 508,964 claimants
- Dementia – 176,864
- Heart Disease – 129,143
- Respiratory Conditions – 109,287
- Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints – 90,910
- Cerebrovascular Disease – 76,289
- Back Pain – 78,845
- Visual Disorders and Diseases – 52,190
- Parkinson’s – 45,779
- Neurological Conditions – 37,838
How to make a claim
You’ll need to fill out a lengthy claim form when applying for Attendance Allowance. Assistance with this is available from your local Citizens Advice.
If you’d prefer to handle it yourself, you can follow the Citizens Advice guide on how to complete your claim form. Comprehensive details on how to obtain the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website.
