At CM Bespoke Care, we know that understanding what financial support may be available can sometimes feel overwhelming.

One benefit that many people may be entitled to, but don't realise they can claim, is Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people who have reached State Pension age and have a disability or health condition that means they need help with personal care or supervision. Importantly, you don't necessarily have to already be receiving care to qualify – what matters is the help or supervision you need because of your condition.

If you, a family member or someone you care for needs help during the day or night, it may be worth finding out whether Attendance Allowance could help.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help with the extra costs associated with needing care or supervision because of a disability or health condition.

It is designed to help people remain independent and can be used in whatever way best supports the person receiving it.

You do not have to spend the money specifically on care.

For example, it could help towards:

• Care and support at home
• Paying for additional help around the home
• Transport
• Heating and household costs
• Personal expenses
• Other things that help you remain independent

The important thing is that your claim is based on the care or supervision you need, rather than simply the diagnosis or condition you have.

GOV.UK – Attendance Allowance

Who might be able to claim?

You may be able to claim Attendance Allowance if:

• You have reached State Pension age.
• You have a physical or mental disability or health condition.
• You need help with personal care or supervision to keep you safe.
• You have needed that help or supervision for at least six months, unless special rules apply.
• You live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Attendance Allowance is not means-tested. Your savings and income are not taken into account when deciding whether you qualify.

You can also potentially claim if you live alone.

You don't have to have somebody providing the care already. What matters is the help or supervision you need.

Important for people living in Scotland

If you live in Scotland, you claim Pension Age Disability Payment instead of Attendance Allowance.

What sort of help counts?

People sometimes assume that Attendance Allowance is only for someone who needs a lot of physical care.

That's not necessarily the case.

The DWP looks at the help, supervision or support you need because of your condition.

This could include difficulties with things such as:

• Getting in or out of bed
• Getting dressed or undressed
• Washing, bathing or showering
• Using the toilet
• Eating and drinking
• Taking medication
• Moving around safely indoors
• Getting up from a chair
• Being supervised because of falls or other safety risks
• Needing someone to monitor you because you may become confused or disorientated
• Needing help during the night
• Needing encouragement or prompting with personal tasks

For example, someone may technically be able to wash themselves but take a very long time, become extremely unsteady or be at risk of falling. These difficulties are important to explain in the application.

Citizens Advice recommends explaining what help is needed, how often it is needed and what happens if that help isn't available.

Don't underestimate your care needs

One of the biggest mistakes people can make when completing an Attendance Allowance form is thinking:

"I can still do it myself, so I don't need help."

The question isn't simply whether you can physically complete a task.

Think about how you manage it.

Does it take you much longer than it should?

Does it cause pain?

Do you become breathless?

Are you unsteady?

Could you fall?

Do you need somebody nearby?

Do you need reminding or encouragement?

Do you need help repeatedly?

Do you need somebody to check on you during the night?

These are all things that should be explained clearly on the form where relevant.

Keep a care-needs diary

Before completing the application, it can be really helpful to keep a diary for around a week.

Write down:

What did you need help with?

How many times did you need help?

How long did it take?

Did you need somebody to supervise you?

Did you need help during the night?

What happened when you didn't have help?

This can help you remember the day-to-day difficulties that you might otherwise forget when sitting down to complete a long form.

Citizens Advice specifically recommends keeping a diary of care needs, particularly where someone has good days and bad days.

What if you have good days and bad days?

Don't just describe your best day.

If your condition fluctuates, explain this.

For example, you might have:

• Three good days a week
• Four difficult days
• Different levels of support depending on the day
• More support required in the morning
• More support required at night

Give an honest picture of what your typical needs are and explain how they change.

Do I have to complete the form on my own?

Absolutely not.

The Attendance Allowance form can feel long and difficult, and some of the questions can be quite personal.

You can ask a family member, friend or carer to help you.

You can also seek advice from organisations such as Citizens Advice or Age UK.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice provides guidance on completing the Attendance Allowance application and has specific information about answering the care-needs questions.

Citizens Advice – Help with the Attendance Allowance form

Citizens Advice – Attendance Allowance information

Age UK

Age UK provides information and support and can help you find your local Age UK.

Their free Advice Line is:

0800 678 1602

It is open 8am–7pm, 365 days a year.

Age UK – Attendance Allowance information

How do I apply?

You can apply online or by post.

The official GOV.UK Attendance Allowance service provides the current application information and explains what information you will need.

GOV.UK – How to claim Attendance Allowance

You will generally need information such as:

• Your National Insurance number
• Your contact details
• Details of your health condition or disability
• Your GP or medical centre details
• Details of a care home, hospital or hospice if applicable

Attendance Allowance helpline

If you would like a paper form, you can contact the DWP Attendance Allowance helpline.

Telephone: 0800 731 0122

Textphone: 0800 731 0317

Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 731 0122

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm.

If you request a form by telephone and return it within six weeks, your claim can generally start from the date you called for the form.

What if someone else needs to help me apply?

A family member, friend or carer can help someone complete the form.

If somebody is unable to make decisions for themselves or cannot sign the form, there are specific rules around who can apply or sign on their behalf. This can involve an appointee, deputy or appropriate power of attorney arrangement.

If you're unsure about this, seek advice before completing the application.

What happens after I apply?

Once you have submitted your claim, the DWP will assess the information provided.

You will receive a decision letter explaining whether you have been awarded Attendance Allowance and, if so, the rate and duration of the award.

If you are not awarded Attendance Allowance, you may have the right to challenge the decision through a mandatory reconsideration and potentially an appeal.

Citizens Advice can provide guidance about challenging a decision.

Could Attendance Allowance help you with the cost of care?

For some people, receiving Attendance Allowance can provide additional financial support that helps them remain independent at home.

It may also mean you qualify for other help depending on your circumstances. For example, Citizens Advice notes that receiving Attendance Allowance may affect eligibility for certain additional support, including possible Council Tax Reduction.

This will depend on your individual circumstances, so it is important to obtain a benefits check or independent advice.

Could CM Bespoke Care help?

At CM Bespoke Care, we understand that completing benefit forms can feel daunting.

If you are one of our clients and you are unsure whether you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance, please speak to us.

We can help you understand what information you may need to think about and point you towards organisations that can provide appropriate support with your application.

We can also help you identify the types of day-to-day care and support needs that may be useful for you to discuss when seeking advice.

Please remember: CM Bespoke Care cannot decide whether you are entitled to Attendance Allowance. The decision is made by the Department for Work and Pensions, and any application should accurately reflect your individual circumstances.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

If you think you or somebody you care for may be entitled to Attendance Allowance, don't be put off by the form.

There is help available.

Speak to your family, your carer, Citizens Advice, Age UK or another appropriate adviser.

And if you're a CM Bespoke Care client and you're unsure where to start, please speak to our team. We will be happy to point you in the right direction.

Useful contacts at a glance

Attendance Allowance – DWP
0800 731 0122
Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm

Apply for Attendance Allowance – GOV.UK

Age UK Advice Line
0800 678 1602
8am–7pm, 365 days a year

Age UK Attendance Allowance information

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice Attendance Allowance guidance

Remember: You don't have to navigate the process alone. Help is available, and it is worth checking what support you may be entitled to.