Reviewed by Dean Morgan
It could give your parent or elder relative over £5,700 a year but many are put off applying for Attendance Allowance by misconceptions about intimidating interviews, means-testing and Attendance Allowance calculators.
These myths prevent many eligible people from applying for the support they deserve.
Here, we address some of the most common misconceptions and set the record straight.
I’m only eligible if I have a carer
You don’t need to have a carer or someone looking after you. You qualify based on the help you need, not the help you actually get.
My income is too high
Attendance Allowance is assessed purely on your disability or health condition and your care or supervision needs. It isn’t means-tested so it doesn’t matter what you earn or how much you have in savings.
There’s a complicated points calculator that decides how much I will be awarded
No, unlike Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA), there is no Attendance Allowance calculator or points system. Instead, it is assessed on the level of help or supervision you need due to your condition. There are simply two rates:
- The higher rate of £110.40 is awarded to people who need frequent help during both the day and night.
- The lower rate of £73.90 is awarded to people who need help during either day or night.
I will have to face an interview with someone to qualify
No, there’s no medical assessment or interview, no intimidating civil servant benefit assessor trying to trip you up. Your claim is judged purely on your application form.
I can get by without it
You have paid into the tax system all your life, now it’s time to get something back. Think about what support or equipment might help you to carry on living independently at home for longer.
My previous claim was turned down
Your circumstances may have changed since the last time you applied, especially if it was a while ago. If your care needs have increased, you may find you’re now eligible.
You may also have made mistakes or missed key details on your previous application, so it’s worth checking with your local Age UK or Citizens Advice for guidance before reapplying, or turning to professional services, which specialise in completing applications on your behalf.
I do not want a carer coming into my home
You don’t have to spend Attendance Allowance on a carer. Many older people spend it on other types of help in the home, or equipment to help them stay independent longer. How it is spent is entirely up to you.
The claim form is too long
The form is long and complicated but there is help available and it’s worth the effort. Age UK and the Citizens Advice Bureau will help you to fill it in and there are professional services that will do it for you for a small fee.
It takes too long for Attendance Allowance to be assessed
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) will contact you within three weeks of receiving your application to let you know how long it will take them to make a decision on your claim.
While it typically takes around 10 to 12 weeks for a decision to be made, any award will be backdated to the date your completed form was received. So, while the wait might feel long, you won’t lose out – and the longer the wait, the bigger the back payment.
But if you delay sending in the form, you could be missing out on over £100 a week, so it’s worth applying as soon as you can.
My claim will be rejected
You can always ask for a mandatory reconsideration of your claim, which must be done within a month of receiving the rejection notification using the mandatory reconsideration form available on the gov.uk website.
If your claim is rejected, you can get free advice and support from organisations such as Age UK, Citizens Advice. You can also seek help from professional services who specialise in Attendance Allowance claims. They can explain the decision, guide you through the appeals process, and help strengthen your case.
I can’t face renewing my Attendance Allowance claim each year
If you are awarded Attendance Allowance for an indefinite period, you won’t need to renew your claim. If it is awarded for a fixed period, the DWP will send you a new form that you will need to complete and return before your claim expires.
We won’t pretend filling out the claim form is easy, but it is worth the effort.
In summary
Many eligible people miss out on Attendance Allowance – either because they don’t know about it or because they’re put off from applying by myths and misconceptions. If you have an elderly parent or relative who could benefit, encourage them to apply and offer support with the process to make sure they avoid the common pitfalls.
Don’t let misinformation stand in the way. Attendance Allowance can provide vital financial help to maintain independence and improve quality of life.
