This page is for people over 65 with disabilities who are residents of  Nottinghamshire County Council (excluding City of Nottingham). The information applies to people who are affected by the UK Social Security law.

On this page:

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a non taxable weekly benefit paid to people over the age of 65 who need a lot of looking after because they have an illness or disability.

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Important points about Attendance Allowance

  • It is not affected by your income or savings or those of your partner.
  • It does not reduce other Social Security benefits. In fact getting Attendance Allowance may entitle you and your carer, if you have one, to extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, or means you qualify for them for the first time. If you have someone who regularly looks after you they may also be able to claim Carers Allowance. Get advice on this if you qualify for Attendance Allowance.
  • If you go into hospital or a residential care home your Attendance Allowance may stop, but it should be reinstated if you return home even if it is only for a weekend.
  • It doesn't matter if you live alone, you can still get the Allowance.
  • Attendance Allowance is paid to the person who needs the care, and can be spent in any way you choose.
  • It doesn't matter how much care you receive, the important thing is how much care you actually need.

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How to qualify for Attendance Allowance

To qualify for the Attendance Allowance you must be 65 or over and have needed help for at least six months.

It is paid at two rates depending on how much care you need:

Lower Rate - £44.85 per week

To qualify for the lower rate you must need help frequently during the day or night with things such as:

  • getting in and out of bed
  • going to the toilet/commode
  • washing
  • shaving or doing your hair
  • dressing or undressing
  • moving around indoors
  • help with communicating from another person which would allow you to, for example, go to social events, or to see the doctor/dentist
  • having a bath/shower
  • eating or drinking
  • taking medicines
  • climbing stairs
  • turning over in bed
  • changing soiled sheets or bed clothes during the night
  • reading correspondence or a newspaper for you because you have difficulty seeing

If you just need someone to do your shopping and household cleaning for you this will not count towards qualifying for the allowance.

and / or

You may also qualify if you need someone with you because:

  • you are unsteady on your feet and liable to fall;
  • you suffer from fits or black outs and may injure yourself;
  • you cannot see or hear very well;
  • you are very forgetful and find it difficult to make decisions so need someone to keep an eye on you. This can include things such as forgetting to turn the gas rings off or not locking the door;
  • you don't really understand when something is dangerous, for example, not being aware of traffic when crossing the road.

Higher Rate - £67.00 per week

To qualify for the higher rate you must need the kind of care described above during the day and night. This means someone to help with things like taking tablets, using the toilet and turning over in bed, or for someone to be with you day and night to avoid  you harming yourself or someone else. If you need someone to be watching over you at night, to get the allowance they have to be awake for periods or getting up at least three times a night to check how you are.

People who are terminally ill

There are special rules which apply to people who may not have longer than 6 months to live because of an illness. Getting paid under these special rules means you automatically get the £67.00 per week higher rate of Attendance Allowance whether or not you need any help, plus you do not need to have required help for the last 6 months. Claims are also dealt with more quickly. There is a special section in the claim pack to apply under these rules.

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How to apply

Forms can be obtained from the following:

  • Department for Work and Pensions Benefit Enquiry Line
    Telephone: 0800 882200
    Textphone: 0800 243355
    8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday     9.00am to 1.00pm Saturday
  • Your local Citizens Advice Bureau
  • The Pension Service
    Telephone: 0845 6060265
    Textphone: 0845 6060285

The form is rather long and complicated and it is best to get help with filling it in from a local welfare rights adviser, or Citizen's Advice Bureau. Many people are refused the Allowance just because they do not put enough information on their claim form.

Contact Nottinghamshire Welfare Rights Service to find out where your nearest advice agency is located.

Telephone: 0115 9774018
Minicom: 01623 520247
E mail: welfare.rights@nottscc.gov.uk

You can also ring the Department for Work and Pensions’ Benefit Enquiry Line for people with disabilities and their carers if you need help filling in the form. See above for contact details.

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If you are refused Attendance Allowance

If you are refused Attendance Allowance or are only awarded the lower rate and think you should get the higher rate, you can ask them to look at their decision again. This is called a reconsideration.

If you are still refused and disagree with the decision you can appeal to an independent tribunal. Up to 50% of people are successful when they ask for a decision to be looked at again.

Don't be put off if you are turned down at first, ask for advice to help you challenge the decision. Nottinghamshire Welfare Rights Service provides advice sessions throughout the county and will be able to help you appeal.

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If you get the allowance

Don't forget to ask if you or your carer are now entitled to any other Social Security benefits.

When people qualify for Attendance Allowance they often get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, or qualify for them for the first time. If you have a person caring for you they may also be able to claim Carer's Allowance.

If you are under 65 and need help, you may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance.

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Disclaimer

The information on this page is not legal advice. If you have a query about your benefits, you should talk to an advisor before making a decision. You may wish to call the Nottinghamshire Welfare Rights Service Adviceline on 0845 601 5943 or find your nearest independent advice centre in Nottinghamshire or take a look at the national CLS/CDS Directory.

The information on this page is for people living within Nottinghamshire who are affected by UK Social Security law

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