Top 10 Tips on How to Apply for Attendance Allowance | FSHC
Attendance Allowance is available to anyone that has reached state pension age with physical or mental disabilities and who needs help with washing, dressing, eating or any other daily activities. It essentially helps with extra financial costs if you need someone to help look after you. You are also eligible for Attendance Allowance if you pay for your care in a care home.
Looking to make a claim? We’ve put together a step-by-step guide that will help you when filling out the Attendance Allowance form.
Let’s get started…
To claim the Attendance Allowance, you should complete the AA1 Attendance Allowance form either online or using a printed form at your earliest convenience, even if you’re still living in your own home. You can get the Attendance Allowance claim form by requesting one over the phone or by printing one out from gov.uk
To apply, you will need some key information:
- your National Insurance number
- your address and contact details
- details of the disability or health condition that you need extra help for
- details of your GP surgery or medical centre
- details of your care home, hospital or hospice (if you are currently staying in one).
The online service will only accept a certain number of applications each week and it’s important to note that you cannot apply online if you have power of attorney or are an appointee. See below for how to apply if either of these apply to you.
All information contained in this page was correct as at 28/02/2024*
4. What care needs do I need to have to be eligible for Attendance Allowance?
When completing the form, don’t underestimate your needs. Be realistic and note the amount of help needed on bad days, as well as on good ones. Things to think about when completing a claim form include:
Washing
Ask yourself, do you need help getting in and out of the bath or shower, washing your hair or shaving?
Going to the toilet
Do you need help going to the toilet during the day or night? Do you suffer from incontinence? Might you need help with changing beds?
Getting dressed or undressed
Consider whether you need help with getting dressed and undressed.
Mealtimes
Are mealtimes a struggle? Do you need any help with eating or drinking? Do you have difficulty operating the oven, opening cans or doing other things in the kitchen?
Medical treatment
Can you operate your medical devices, such as a hearing aid or safely manage any illnesses, such as diabetes by yourself? Do you understand which medication to take and when?
Getting around indoors
Do you need help navigating from room to room, getting in and out of bed? Would you benefit from aids and adaptations, such as a bed-raiser, a raised toilet seat; shower seat or a walking frame?
Communicating
If you have poor eyesight, do you need help reading your post? If you’re deaf, can you hear the doorbell?
Supervision
Are you in danger of falling? Do you need someone to watch over you in case you have a seizure or a fall? Do you feel you might be in danger if no one is there to support you?
7. Consider a supporting statement
It’s worth asking someone to write a statement as it helps reinforce your case. It could be a friend, a relative or a professional person, such as a doctor. If that person understands the rules of the allowance, it will be even better, as they will know what relevant information to include.
8. Who needs to sign the form?
You must sign the form yourself, so if someone has been helping you to fill in the form, you should read it through before signing. The exceptions to this rule include if the person filling in the form holds a Power of Attorney, or there are other reasons you can’t sign, such as a mental health problem.
10. What happens next?
Once the application has been received, you might also be asked to attend a medical assessment to check your eligibility, which can be at your home if getting to the assessment is difficult for you.
If possible, take someone who cares for you, such as a family member or friend, to the meeting in case anything isn’t clear. At the assessment, you’ll need to provide identification, which could be a: passport, birth certificate, driving licence, life assurance policy or a bank statement.
11. How to apply if I am an appointee or have power of attorney
You cannot apply online if you are an appointee or have power of attorney.
To apply by post you can either:
If you have any questions about our care or services, please get in touch below.
Please note that we cannot respond to queries about application process, or current vacant positions. Please visit our careers website for information about working with us or current vacancies.