Attendance allowance

Apply for money because someone with a disability or illness finds it hard for to look after themselves

Does the person you care for have a long term illness or disability which makes it hard for them to look after themselves? Or do you yourself also need help to look after yourself even though you care for someone?

Do you know if the person you care for is entitled to Attendance Allowance? Do you know enough about it to make a claim?

You can spend the money however you like – it could help someone including yourself stay independent in your own home for longer.

What The Carers Centre Tower Hamlets does: Attendance Allowance advice

Our benefits advice and support service is for you the carer, and the cared for person, looking at the ‘household income’. We support the carer and the cared for person to apply for the benefits they are entitled to.

But before a welfare benefits advisor can help with Attendance Allowance, you the carer must take these first steps

A welfare benefits advisor can advise you and explain the conditions someone needs to meet to get Attendance Allowance. To qualify they must

• have reached state pension age. Check state pension age
• have a disability or illness that makes it hard for them to look after themselves

A welfare benefits advisor can explain the allowance to you including

• means testing (it is not based on income or savings or any other money received)
• the amount, which depends on how much help is needed
• it is tax free
• it does not affect the state pension.

The Carers Centre Tower Hamlets welfare benefits advisor can help you fill in the long form. Don’t be put off applying! You can request the form from DWP by calling 08007310122

Other information about Attendance Allowance

A factsheet on Attendance Allowance