Attendance Allowance

You may be able to claim Attendance Allowance if dementia has affected your ability to look after yourself and you need extra help. Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people who are State Pension age who have a disability or health condition which means that they need care or supervision. The age when you can claim Attendance Allowance will change as State Pension age increases. You can apply for Attendance Allowance regardless of how much income or savings you have. You must normally have needed care or supervision for 6 months before your award can begin; if you are terminally ill and are not expected to live more than six months you can make a claim straight away. There are two rates of Attendance Allowance: 1. a lower rate of £60 per week if you need help during the day OR during the night 2. a higher rate of £89.60 per week if you need help both day AND night You do not have to spend the money on care. You can decide to spend it on anything you want.

Explaining the help you need

To qualify for Attendance Allowance you need to show how your health condition affects your ability to look after yourself or to keep yourself safe. If you have more than one health condition or disability, and many older people do (such as dementia, visual impairment and arthritis together), you need to explain the effects of all the conditions. When you are completing a claim form do not underestimate the help you need. Be realistic and consider the things you cannot do or have trouble with. Think about a typical day or week in your life and the things you find difficult. It might be useful to keep a diary of the help you need and to speak with someone close to you. Family members, a carer, friends or relatives might help you think of examples and could give you a hand to complete the claim form. We have given examples below of types of help some people with dementia might need. Everyone’s experience is different so these examples may not apply to you. For each section of the form you need to explain how having someone to help you or to keep an eye on you would make a difference. You may need to explain about: Using the toilet: finding the toilet in unfamiliar places, help to use the toilet safely or to check your clothing after using the toilet. Looking after your appearance: reminders about washing yourself, support to check water temperature or help to identify the contents of different bottles in the bathroom.

Dressing or undressing: help to find clean clothes, the right clothes for the weather or clothes that match. Reminders to change your clothes or a hand with fastening things like laces or buttons.

Eating and drinking: remembering where food and drink is stored, help to recognise types of food and drink, reminders to eat and drink, or help to cut up food on your plate. If you enjoy cooking you may need support to read recipes, use kitchen equipment or check that food is still in date.

Taking medication: reminders about what time to take it, how much to have and whether to take medication with, before or after food. Different pills may look similar or you could need help to read and understand instructions.

Communication: you might find it difficult to understand people you do not know, or others may struggle to understand your speech. You may have trouble finding the right word or repeat words and phrases. Someone might need to help you to answer the phone, read letters or fill out forms. Keeping safe in your home: dementia may make it harder for you to judge distances and the size and shape of objects. Other disabilities such as sight loss may make it more difficult to avoid falls and use stairs safely. Describe any falls or stumbles you have had and if you needed medical help afterwards. You may need help if you forget where you are, leave the cooker on, or forget to lock doors or close windows when you go out or at night. You might need support to deal with people who come to your door if you are not expecting them - you should always check someone’s identity if you don’t know who they are. Keeping safe out and about: what help do you need when you are out and about? Reminders about bus routes and bus stops? Where it’s best to cross the road? What you need to sort out at the bank and post office? Figuring out labels on food? For more information about Attendance Allowance call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.

Making a claim for Attendance Allowance

To claim Attendance Allowance phone the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 or visit www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance. If you need help with filling in a form phone the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for a referral to the Department for Work and Pensions home visiting service (only available for emergencies during coronavirus restrictions) or for contact details of a local advice agency which can help you. Within the next few years Attendance Allowance will be replaced by a new payment from Social Security Scotland for people making a claim for the first time. Call the Age Scotland helpline for more information on 0800 12 44 222.