Attendance Allowance

• Use an up-to-date claim form.
• Make a photocopy of the claim form once you've completed it.
• You normally have 6 weeks to complete the form, so take your time filling in the claim form – try to get help if you need it. You can call the Parkinson's helpline on 0808 800 0303.
• Don't be afraid to write too much and add extra pages if needed – just remember to write your name and National Insurance number on each page.
• Don't underestimate your needs. If you have a carer, think about what it would be like without them. If you manage on your own, don't be afraid to make it clear how difficult it is for you.
• If an assessor visits you, try not to feel uncomfortable or be rushed into making hasty comments, such as "I can manage by myself". Keep in mind why you're applying for this benefit. If you live by yourself, you might have to manage by yourself – but if you get help you may be able to do things more effectively, or quicker, or without risk or pain. Let the assessor know if this is the case.
• Your condition may change throughout the day. It's important that you write down this information when you complete the claim form.
• If your condition changes from day to day, explain what you're like on an average or typical day, but also include what you're like on both a good and bad day. Write down how often you have both good and bad days (for example, "I have bad days around 4 days each week").

Take some time to think about how Parkinson's affects you. It might be helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• Is dressing a problem?
• Is bathing or showering difficult?
• Do you need help cutting toenails or fingernails?
• How do you get out of bed?
• Do you find it difficult to start moving?
• Do you fall or stumble sometimes? If so, is it difficult to get up again?
• Do you need someone with you when you go outside?
• Does your condition change throughout the day?
• Do you have times during the day when you go 'off'?
• What's your handwriting like?
• What's your speech like?

For some of these points, it may also help to keep a daily diary of your care needs.

Receiving Attendance Allowance can increase the amount of any means-tested benefits (such as Pension Credit) you get. Attendance Allowance can be paid in addition to any other social security benefits.

However, your local authority might take Attendance Allowance into account when considering whether you need to contribute to the cost of any care and support services you receive from them.

Attendance Allowance is not taxable. It's not based on National Insurance contributions. Attendance Allowance is also not means-tested. In other words, any income or savings you have do not affect whether you're awarded it or how much you get.

Can I claim Attendance Allowance alongside Disability Living Allowance?

No. If you already get Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment/Adult Disability Payment (Scotland), you'll continue to get that benefit and you won't be able to claim Attendance Allowance.

Changes to Attendance Allowance in Scotland

Attendance Allowance is due to be replaced in Scotland (only) by a new benefit called Pension Age Disability Payment, possibly in 2023/24. 

Attendance Allowance is usually paid every 4 weeks directly into a bank, building society or Post Office card account.

Your Attendance Allowance will stop after you've been in hospital for a total of 4 weeks (either in 1 stay, or several stays, where the gaps between stays are no more than 4 weeks each time).

You can't usually get Attendance Allowance if you live in a care home and your care is paid for by your local authority. You can still claim Attendance Allowance if you pay for all your care home costs yourself.

Attendance Allowance may be awarded to you for an indefinite period or for a fixed period of time.

If it's for a fixed period, you'll normally be sent a renewal claim form 4 months before your existing claim runs out.

If you feel that you've been wrongly refused Attendance Allowance, it's worth asking the Department for Work and Pensions (the Disability and Carers Service in Northern Ireland) for a 'mandatory reconsideration' of its decision.

You have 1 month from the date of the decision to do this. You can ask for a mandatory reconsideration over the phone, but it's best to confirm in writing.

It can help if you get a letter from your GP, specialist or Parkinson's nurse, pointing out what your care needs are. The letter may simply state that they have read the diary you've kept of your care needs and they agree that those needs are due to your condition.

If you've asked for a mandatory reconsideration and the Department for Work and Pensions doesn't change its mind, you have another month to appeal to an independent tribunal.

To do this, fill in an Attendance Allowance appeal form. In Northern Ireland, use the NOA1(SS) form. You can get a paper copy from Citizens Advice.

There are organisations that can offer help and advice (some for free) with your appeal, such as Citizens Advice, local welfare rights groups or local solicitors.

If you get the lower rate of Attendance Allowance and your condition progresses, you can ask the Department for Work and Pensions (the Disability and Carers Service in Northern Ireland) to look at your claim again and consider the higher rate.

They may do this if you need help to keep yourself safe, you need to be looked after both during the day and the night, or if you develop a terminal illness.

Before putting in your request, try to get some advice and information about the process. If the Department for Work and Pensions receives information that your care needs have decreased, your benefit may be withdrawn.

Before asking for a review, you should consider how your needs have increased on a daily basis. What extra support and help do you need now that you didn't need when you first claimed Attendance Allowance. Keeping a diary of your daily care needs might help you with this.

It can be helpful to get medical support before you ask for a review. A letter from your GP, specialist or Parkinson's nurse that points out what your current care needs are, will help. The letter may simply say that they've read the diary of your care needs and agree that your condition would create those needs.

When you ask for a review, you need to contact:

• Attendance Allowance Unit (for England, Scotland and Wales) on 0800 731 0122 (textphone 0800 731 0317)
• Disability and Carers Service – Attendance Allowance (for Northern Ireland) on 0800 587 0912 (textphone 0800 012 1574)

You'll normally be sent a review form to complete.

If your condition improves, you'll also need to get in touch with the Attendance Allowance Unit or Disability and Carers Service as soon as you can. They'll normally send you a review form to complete, so they can re-assess your award.

It's always important to provide full, accurate information to the Attendance Allowance Unit or Disability and Carers Service, and to let them know if your circumstances change.