Attendance Allowance in Preston: A Clear, Friendly Guide
Understanding the benefits you may be entitled to, such as Attendance Allowance, can significantly support your independence, as seen with Caremark Preston. For more details, explore our Attendance Allowance: A clear, friendly guide to help you navigate this benefit.
When you or someone you love needs a little extra help at home, every bit of support matters. Attendance allowance is a tax-free benefit for people over State Pension age who have a disability or long-term health condition and need help with personal care or supervision. In this guide, we explain attendance allowance eligibility, attendance allowance rates, how to use the attendance allowance application form, and simple steps to apply for attendance allowance. As one of the UK’s trusted leaders in home care, Caremark is here to make things easier warm advice, practical help, and a friendly voice at the end of the phone.
What is attendance allowance?
Attendance allowance helps with the extra costs of care if you need regular help or supervision due to illness, disability or cognitive conditions such as dementia. It isn’t means-tested, so your savings, income or State Pension won’t affect the attendance allowance amount you receive.
This support can cover help with washing and dressing, preparing meals and eating, managing medication, moving safely around your home, or being supervised to stay safe. You don’t need a formal carer to be claiming attendance allowance; needing help, regular prompting, or supervision is enough.
People with physical disabilities, sensory impairments, long-term illnesses, fluctuating conditions, memory problems, or those at risk of falls may all meet attendance allowance eligibility. Night-time needs, such as getting in and out of bed, monitoring, or regular support to prevent harm also count.
Many customers use their attendance allowance amount to arrange home care that feels personal and reassuring. At Caremark Preston, we help you make the most of the benefit, so you can stay comfortable and independent in the home you love.
Eligibility: do you meet the criteria?
To meet attendance allowance eligibility, you must be over State Pension age and normally living in the UK, with residency conditions that usually require a set period in Great Britain. Your eligibility is based on your care and supervision needs rather than a specific diagnosis.
In most cases, your needs must have been present for at least six months (known as the qualifying period). If you are terminally ill, special rules apply and the claim can be fast-tracked.
You may be eligible if you often need help or prompting to:
- wash, dress and manage personal hygiene
- prepare and eat meals
- take and organise medication
- use the toilet and manage continence
- move around your home safely
- stay safe because of memory problems, confusion or a risk of falls
Night-time support, getting settled, repositioning, reassurance, or regular checks, also contributes to the attendance allowance amount. Attendance allowance does not include a mobility component. If you are under State Pension age, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may be more suitable. Receiving attendance allowance can increase entitlement to means-tested support such as Pension Credit premiums or Council Tax Reduction, but it does not reduce your State Pension.
Attendance allowance rates
Attendance allowance rates are paid at two weekly levels:
- Lower rate: for people who need help during the day or during the night
- Higher rate: for people who need help both day and night, or who qualify under the special rules
The government reviews attendance allowance rates annually. Your rate depends on the level and frequency of your care needs, not your diagnosis. Clear evidence of day and night needs, frequent prompting, or constant supervision may lead to the higher rate.
Payments are tax-free and usually arrive every four weeks into your bank account. If you’re wondering “attendance allowance how much?”, the current attendance allowance amount is listed on the government website and can change each April. Caremark Preston can help you check attendance allowance rates and work out how your needs might fit the criteria.
How to apply: simple steps and what to include
(Applying is much easier when you know what the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is looking for. You can request the attendance allowance form (AA1A) by phone or download the attendance allowance application form online. If you call to request the form, your claim date is set from the day you call, this can be helpful.
Step-by-step to apply for attendance allowance:
- Request the attendance allowance application form (AA1A) by phone or download it online.
- Read the notes, they explain each section of the attendance allowance form clearly.
- Gather evidence of your care needs, such as care plans, appointment letters, and notes about help at home.
- Complete the attendance allowance application with specific examples of how your condition affects daily life.
- Send the form and any supporting documents promptly.
- Wait for the decision, sometimes the DWP may ask for more information.
What to include on your attendance allowance application:
- Real-life examples of tasks you find difficult and how often you need help or prompting
- Safety risks, falls, memory issues, and any night-time needs
- Your medication list and any side effects
- Details of treatments, appointments, and home adaptations
- Information about who helps you and how frequently
Many people under-report their needs or focus only on good days. Be honest about typical days, bad days, and fluctuations. If your condition varies, explain how often and how it affects your ability to cope. A short diary for a week can help. If you’d like a hand with your attendance allowance application form, Caremark can sit with you, organise your information, and make sure your attendance allowance form reflects your real needs.
After you apply for attendance allowance: If your needs change, for example, if your night-time support increases, tell the DWP. You can request a review, and your attendance allowance amount may change..
How Caremark Preston helps you live well at home
There’s no place like home, and there’s no care quite like Caremark. We offer reliable, compassionate home care tailored to you, personal care, medication reminders, meal preparation, companionship and overnight support. Whether you need a short visit or more comprehensive help, we’ll create a plan that fits your life. Learn more about our care services in Preston.
We balance heart and head, warmth and kindness, teamed with excellent standards, robust training and clear communication with families. Our Care Assistants are chosen for their personalities as much as their skills: caring, compassionate, cheery and professional.
Caremark Preston is local, human and safe. We’re proud of our reputation, our quality, and our commitment to treating every customer with dignity and respect. If you want help to apply for attendance allowance or to understand attendance allowance eligibility, attendance allowance rates, and the attendance allowance amount, we’re here. We can walk you through the attendance allowance application form, make claiming attendance allowance simpler, and put the right care in place.