Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance (AA) is a tax-free benefit you may get if you're aged 65 or over and need help with personal care because you're physically or mentally disabled.
The information in this section is a guide only. The office dealing with your claim can answer any questions you may have about claiming and getting Attendance Allowance.

Who can get Attendance Allowance?
You may get Attendance Allowance if any of the following apply:

• you have a physical or mental disability, or both
• your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself
• you're aged 65 or over when you claim

If you're under age 65, you may get Disability Living Allowance.

Attendance Allowance isn't usually affected by any savings or income you may have.

Special rules - if you're terminally ill
If you have a progressive disease and aren't expected to live for more than another six months there are special rules to help you get the benefit quickly and easily.

Medical examinations
You won't usually need a medical examination when you claim Attendance Allowance.

How much do you get?
The amount you get depends on how much your disability affects you.
There are two rates of Attendance Allowance.
Attendance Allowance Weekly rate (tax year 2010-2011)
Higher rate £71.40
Lower rate £47.80

How it's paid
Attendance Allowance is normally paid directly into any account of your choice that accepts Direct Payment of benefits. This might be a bank, building society or other account provider.
You may be able to get someone else to collect your Attendance Allowance - for help with this contact your bank, building society or other account provider.
To get more information on how you can be paid in other ways, you can contact the office dealing with your claim - details are in the 'Rates and how to claim' section below.

Effect on other benefits and entitlements
If you start to get Attendance Allowance, it might increase the amount of other benefits and financial support you're entitled to.
You may get an extra amount for severe disability with:

• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit
• Pension Credit

Attendance Allowance is normally ignored as income for working out income-related benefits and other entitlements.

Rates and how to claim
Claim straight away - otherwise you may lose benefit.
You can claim online or get a claim pack by:

• phoning the Benefit Enquiry Line
• downloading the claim form

What else you need to know
To get Attendance Allowance you must generally be in Great Britain or treated as living here, and meet certain other conditions about your residence and presence.
Also, changes to your circumstances can affect the amount of Attendance Allowance you get, or whether you get it.

For more information click here to visit the Direct Gov website.