Page created: 3rd June 2021
How to Claim
A new claim for Attendance Allowance can be made by calling the new claims line on 0800 731 0122.
Alternatively, an application form can be filled in, called an AA1 form, following this web link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/attendance-allowance-claim-form
Further information on Attendance Allowance can be found by following this weblink:
https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/how-to-claim
‘Special Rules’
If a claimant is terminally ill with a progressive illness that is likely to limit their life expectancy to less than 6-months, they can claim Attendance Allowance under ‘special rules’.
Under the special rules, claimants will automatically receive the higher rate. Also, he 6-month waiting period will not apply and the DWP will aim to handle claims within 10-14-days, without the need for an examination.
To make a claim under the special rules, claimants should seek the help of their GP to fill out a DS1500 form.
For further in information on claims AA allowance under the special rules, please see the web link:
https://www.gov.uk/terminal-illness-benefits
Going Abroad
The general rule for going abroad is 13-weeks for a ‘temporary absence’. So, if you are absent from the UK for no longer than this period, you can continue to receive your Attendance Allowance whilst abroad.
You can also have a temporary absence for up to 26-weeks if in connection with medical treatment – such treatment will need to be undertaken by a recognised medical professional and will need to be given the go ahead by the DWP before you go abroad.
An absence from the UK cannot exceed longer than 52 weeks, or you will then need to meet the ‘past presence’ test.
Hospital stays
Attendance Allowance is payable for the first 28-days whilst you are in hospital (NHS), if are maintained free of charge while undergoing treatment as an inpatient.
After this after 28-days, payment is suspended.
If you have two or more hospital stays within a 28-day or less period, the stays are linked together, and payment continues to be suspended. After 28-days of no hospital stay, the link is then broken.
Although, Attendance Allowance can be paid for days spent at home in between hospital stays.
If you pay the costs of your hospital care, you can carry on being paid Attendance Allowance indefinitely.
Attendance Allowance is also paid if awarded under special rules for terminal illness and you are in a non-NHS hospice.
Care Home Stays
If any of the costs of a ‘qualifying service’ – accommodation, board, or personal care, are paid out of public funds (for example, by a local authority or the NHS), Attendance Allowance stops after a 28-days admission, or sooner if you were previously in hospital (linked stays).
You retain an ‘underlying entitlement’ to Attendance Allowance, so if you move out of the care home, Attendance Allowance can begin being paid again.
If the local authority provides temporary funding that will later be reimbursed by you (for example, under a deferred payment agreement), Attendance Allowance can be paid during this period of temporary funding.
If you have a temporary admission to a home, for example, for respite care funded in full or in part by a local authority or the NHS, Attendance Allowance stops being paid after 28-days.
As with hospital stays, periods of less than 28-days are linked and added together to reach the 28-day limit and are not broken until you have been away from the care home for 28-days.
Reporting a Change in Circumstances
Due to the dangers of overpayments with going abroad, going in and out of hospitals or care homes, it is vitally important to report changes of circumstances as soon as possible.
You must also contact the DWP immediately to report any of the following change of circumstances:
- If the level of help you need changes or if your conditions change for the better.
- If you go into prison.
- If you change your name, address, bank, or GP details.
- If you want to stop receiving your benefit.
You can report a change of circumstance to the DWP by contacting the Disability Service Centre helpline:
https://www.gov.uk/disability-benefits-helpline
Glossary of terms:
AA – Attendance Allowance
DLA – Disability Living Allowance
PIP – Personal Independence Payment
Useful links:
AA1 From
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/attendance-allowance-claim-form
Age UK Attendance Allowance Fact sheet
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs34_attendance_allowance_fcs.pdf
Attendance Allowance
https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/how-to-claim
Disability Service Center
https://www.gov.uk/disability-benefits-helpline
‘Special Rules’ – Terminally Ill Claimants