How to Apply for Attendance Allowance if You Are Temporarily Staying in a Care Home in the UK
Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people of State Pension age who need help with personal care due to a disability or health condition. If you are temporarily staying in a care home in Great Britain and want to apply for Attendance Allowance, there are some practical points to consider.
Who Can Claim Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is for people who have reached State Pension age and have a disability or health condition that requires extra help. It is not means-tested, so your income or savings do not affect eligibility. If you live in Scotland, you need to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead.
Applying While Temporarily in a Care Home
If you are currently in a care home temporarily—for example, for respite or short-term recovery—you can still apply for Attendance Allowance. When making your claim, you will need to provide details of the care home where you are staying, along with your National Insurance number, contact details, and information about your health condition and GP surgery.
- Include the care home details: The claim form includes space to add your care home or hospital details if you are staying in one. This helps the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) understand your current circumstances.
- Claim start date: If you apply online, your claim starts on the date you make the claim. If you send a paper form, your claim starts on the date DWP receives it. If you request a form by phone and return it within six weeks, your claim starts on the date of your call.
How to Apply
You can apply for Attendance Allowance online or by post. If you prefer a paper form, you can request one by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline. The completed form should be sent to the freepost address provided on the claim form; you do not need to add a postcode or stamp.
After You Apply
Once your claim is received, you will get a letter or text within about three weeks explaining when a decision will be made. After the decision, you will receive a letter with the outcome. If you are awarded Attendance Allowance, the letter will also tell you when payments will start.
Important Considerations
- Temporary stays do not prevent claims: Being temporarily in a care home does not disqualify you from claiming Attendance Allowance, provided you meet the other eligibility criteria.
- Report changes: If your circumstances change—for example, if your stay in the care home becomes permanent or your care needs change—you should inform DWP.
- Attendance Allowance rates: Attendance Allowance is paid weekly at two rates depending on the level of help you need: the lower rate (£76.70) for frequent help or supervision during the day or supervision at night, and the higher rate (£114.60) for help or supervision throughout both day and night, or if a medical professional has said you’re nearing the end of life.
- Separate from other benefits: Attendance Allowance is not means-tested and is different from other care-related benefits. It may affect other benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, so check with the relevant office or helpline.
For full details on how to apply and what information to provide, check the official Attendance Allowance claim guidance or contact the Attendance Allowance helpline.
Official reference: https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/how-to-claim. Topic-specific official guidance. Always check the latest official guidance. Related forms: Browse our form category.
Important: This article provides general information. Government rules, forms and procedures can change, and this article may not reflect the latest updates. Check current GOV.UK guidance or the relevant authority before relying on it. ITG & Co. is independent and is not affiliated with a government department.