If you’re terminally ill, you can claim Attendance Allowance straight away - you don’t need to wait 6 months. Find out more about claiming Attendance Allowance if you’re terminally ill.
You don't need to have had a formal diagnosis to claim Attendance Allowance. For example, you might still be having tests or appointments to find out what's wrong with you. As long as you've needed help or supervision, or you've had difficulties for 6 months because of your condition you can claim Attendance Allowance.
You can also claim Attendance Allowance if you live on your own - it's based on the help you need, rather than the help you are already getting.
If you get Attendance Allowance, you can spend the money however you like - it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer.
You can also apply for Attendance Allowance on behalf of someone else, for example a parent or a friend or other relative.
You might need to apply for Attendance Allowance for someone else, for example if they're too ill to fill in the form or if they don't have the 'mental capacity'. This means they're unable to make decisions.
It's okay to fill in the form for someone if they can sign it themselves.
If they can't sign the form you'll need to have the legal right to do it for them. You can sign the form for them if you:
You'll need to get the legal right if you want to apply for Attendance Allowance on behalf of someone who can't sign the form themselves.
It can take a while to get this permission so it's best to do this as soon as possible so you don't delay the Attendance Allowance claim.
An appointee has the legal right to sort out someone's benefits for them. This includes spending the money in a way that helps the claimant and being responsible for reporting any changes, for example if they go into hospital.
You can't get lasting power of attorney (LPA) for someone on their behalf - they have to apply for it themselves. They must be able to make their own decisions when they apply.
If you have an LPA for someone you'll be able to make decisions for them or help them make their own decisions.
There are 2 types of LPA - you can have 1 or both:
To apply for benefits, you’ll need a property and financial affairs LPA. If you need the benefits to be paid into your bank or building society account, the LPA must say you can do this.
You should only apply to become a deputy for someone if they can't make decisions for themselves and there's no power of attorney for them.
If they can still make decisions, it's probably best to become an appointee or get power of attorney for them.
If they can't make decisions, you can apply to become a deputy at GOV.UK.
You can either phone for an application form or download a form on GOV.UK.
It's best to phone because your payments will be backdated to the date you phoned, as long as you return the form in 6 weeks. The date you need to return it by will be stamped on the form. If you download an application form, you'll only be paid from the date that the DWP receive the form.
Attendance Allowance helpline
Telephone: 0800 731 0122
Textphone: 0800 731 0317
Relay UK - if you can't hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 0800 731 0122
You can use Relay UK with an app or a textphone. There’s no extra charge to use it. Find out how to use Relay UK on the Relay UK website.
Video relay - if you use British Sign Language (BSL).
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Calls are free from mobiles and landlines.
It’s a quick call - you just need to give your name and address. It's the same number whether you're applying for Attendance Allowance for yourself or for someone else.
It's a good idea to keep a diary of your condition for at least a week before you fill in the form - particularly if you have bad days and good days. Fill in our diary template to help you
99 KB . Write down your difficulties, the care or supervision you need and how long it took.
The diary will help you when you answer questions on the form. You can also send it with the form to support your claim.
The form can be confusing and difficult to understand - filling it in can also be emotionally difficult and time-consuming.
You don't have to go through it alone - read our advice on filling in the Attendance Allowance form.
It's a good idea to make a copy of your filled-in application form and any other documents you send if you can. This will be useful in case you need to refer to them later, for example if you need to reapply for Attendance Allowance after a few years.
Send the form to:
DWP Attendance Allowance
You don't need a postcode or a stamp.
If you're waiting for something like a letter from your doctor, you should still send the form before the 6 week deadline. Include a letter saying you'll send more evidence and give them an approximate date for when you'll send it.
If you send the form late, you should explain why. You'll only get paid from when the DWP receives the form.
You'll get a 'decision letter' - this will tell you whether or not you'll get Attendance Allowance. It will also tell you how much you'll get and how long your Attendance Allowance will last for.
The DWP might take a long time before they send your decision letter. If you’re worried, you can call the Attendance Allowance helpline to check they’ve got your form.
If you're terminally ill you should get your decision letter within 2 weeks. You'll be awarded the higher rate of Attendance Allowance for 3 years. Find out more about claiming Attendance Allowance if you're terminally ill.
Attendance Allowance helpline
Telephone: 0800 731 0122
Textphone: 0800 731 0317
Relay UK - if you can't hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 0800 731 0122
You can use Relay UK with an app or a textphone. There’s no extra charge to use it. Find out how to use Relay UK on the Relay UK website.
Video relay - if you use British Sign Language (BSL).
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Calls are free from mobiles and landlines.
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