Attendance Allowance levels

BridgeBourne

I have seen Martins latest information about claiming Attendance Allowance and wholeheartedly concur with the advice to make an application.

However one word of caution if you are getting assistance to make the application ( which Age UK, Parkinson's UK and Social Prescribing teams all offer). Our local Social Prescribing team were adamant that unless someone needed help day AND night, they would not get anything. My reading of the guidance and the advice from Martin copied below says otherwise. Social Prescribing team pushed us hard to "stretch the truth" about overnight needs, and got quite "shirty" when we wouldn't. Be sure that whoever is advising you doesn't push you into saying something that isn't true. Their hearts may be in the right place but it is your signature on the form!

- Need help during the day OR night? You get the LOWER rate of £73.90/wk (£3,842/yr) rising to £76.60 in April.
- Need help during the day AND night? You get the HIGHER rate of £110.40/wk (£5,740/yr) rising to £114.60 in April.
- Have less than 12 months to live? You get the HIGHER rate of £110.40/wk (£5,740/yr) rising to £114.60 in April.
 

teddysmum

I gathered from the media , that you only get the higher amount if you are terminally ill or if you live alone and need help (but don't have to take it) during the night, as well as day. A point made was that people living with a partner, parent etc would have them available for their care. I mentioned this to someone (medical) who mentioned my AA and they confirmed that I would get no extra, as I live with my husband.

Spoonie_Turtle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81882301#Comment_81882301

Then the media are wrong, as is the person you told about it. Disability benefits are about the help you need, whether you receive it or not.

Otherwise people with social care packages meeting their needs wouldn't have their applications accepted, or self-funders in care homes who have people on call 24/7.