The Allowance Claim Form - Download Official PDF
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The attendance allowance is a UK government help which covers costs for people suffering a disability creating a need to be looked after by someone. Here below is the official print attendance allowance claim form to be downloaded.
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What is the attendance allowance?
Attendance allowance is a help provided by the UK government through the Department for Work & Pensions to relieve people suffering disabilities that oblige them having someone to look after them. It consists of a financial support given on a weekly basis. There are two different rates, that depend on the situation of the attendance allowance claimant.
What are the attendance allowance rates?
There exists two attendance allowance rates :
| How much? | Situation | |
|---|---|---|
| Lower rate | £59.70 a week | You need care during the day and at night. |
| Higher rate | £89.15 a week | You need frequent care during the day and at night / You are terminally ill. |
Those rates are subject to changes from year to year.
How do you qualify to attendance allowance?
The UK government allowance attendance is meant for people suffering an illness or a disability which really makes them difficult to look after themselves. That would therefore the number 1 condition to qualify to the attendance allowance. The necessity of being looked after encompasses several aspects:
- Your safety
- Your personal care - for example in case you cannot dress yourself, eat, wash, etc.
- The domestic work - personal tasks in the first place.
Attendance allowance should be claimed for:
- Mental health problems
- Physical disability or illness - for example when you are blind or deaf
- Learning difficulties cases.
How to claim attendance allowance?
In to submit a valid attendance allowance claim application, you will have to complete the official attendance allowance form of the UK government's Department for Work & Pensions - which you find above. It is very important that you explain clearly throughout the form on what extent your disability / illness is affecting your daily life, and why you need the attendance allowance funds for. You should not underestimate your needs, in order to present the most real state of reality.
Where should I send my attendance allowance form?
Once your form is duly completed, you should send it by post to the following address: ‘Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance’.
Good to know
Note that the Department for Work & Pensions receives attendance allowance claim forms non only in written format, but also in braille, large print or audio CD.
When can I claim attendance allowance?
There is a timing to apply for attendance allowance. It is basically called the '6-months rule', meaning you should have had problems needing care and / or supervision due to your illness or disability for a minimum of 6 months before you can be eligible to the attendance allowance help. Applying to the attendance allowance do not require any health diagnosis, for someone can be still investigating the causes of his illness when applying.
How should attendance allowance be used for?
There is no rule defined by the authorities on how you have to spend you attendance allowance help. It is meant to be a financial support that allow you to make expanses that will ease your illness are disability. For example, you can use you attendance allowance for :
- Paying a taxi when you cannot drive and need to go out
- Paying the salary of someone that will look after you and your belongings (a nurse, a gardener, a cleaner, etc.)
- Paying some bills related your disability or illness.
Nobody can interfere on whether you spend that money, and you won't have to be accountable for it.
Can I claim attendance allowance if I already have Disability Living Allowance?
There is an incompatibility between attendance allowance and disability living allowance (DLA) used personal care. Basically, if you apply to attendance allowance while already receiving DLA money for your care, your DLA is likely to be reassessed and minored. In the end, you could lose money. If you are not sure on what you should claim or not, you can contact your local Citizens Advice.
Can I claim attendance allowance if I already have Personal Independent Payment?
Personal Independent Payment (PIP) is a benefit that has been created to relieve people suffering an illness, a disability or mental health problems. If you already earn a PIP allocation, you will not be entitled to claim attendance allowance. Sometimes, it happens that one is no more eligible to the PIP. In this case, it is possible to claim attendance allowance as a substitute.
Can I add attendance allowance to other benefits I already earn?
If you already earn other benefits, applying to attendance allowance will not minor them. Indeed, attendance allowance is a tax-free help, and no money will be withdrawn for the sum you will receive every week on your bank account. It is rather the opposite: being entitled to attendance allowance will allow you to be eligible to more helps - such as a council tax reduction for example in some cases.
How can I have help for my attendance allowance application?
If you need help in the course of your attendance allowance application, you should call the Department for Work & Pensions help line, through one of those channels:
- Telephone number: 0800 731 0122
- Textphone number: 0800 731 0317
- Relay UK (for people who can't hear or speak on the phone): 18001, then 0800 731 012
This service is proposed from Monday to Friday (from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm)
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