What to include in your Attendance Allowance application

Many applications are turned down because people don't mention or aren't clear about how their illness or disability affects their lives. Don't underestimate your needs when filling in the form. Read some of our tips. 

Tips to help with the Attendance Allowance form

These general tips can help you when filling out your Attendance Allowance form.

• Describe any accidents or falls you’ve had.
• Explain the effects of all your disabilities and health conditions, and how they interact with each other.
• List things that you struggle to do unaided, even if you’ve developed ways to cope.
• If an activity takes you much longer than it would somebody without a disability, or if it’s difficult to do safely, include this too.
• Say if you need reminding or encouragement to do things.
• Focus on how frequently you need help. For example, if you need help looking after your appearance, if you include help to check your clothes are clean after a meal, help to find a coat and matching shoes, and so on.
• Give plenty of information in your own words about your personal circumstances. Don’t worry if you need to repeat yourself.
• Don’t leave things out, even if you feel you can manage well enough.

Bear in mind that Attendance Allowance doesn’t usually take into account problems with housework, cooking, shopping and gardening.

Thinking about your specific needs

As well as the general tips above, it's important to think about your specific needs. Do any of the following apply to you?

Washing, bathing and looking after your appearance

Do you need help getting in and out of the bath or shower, adjusting shower controls, shaving, putting on skin creams, or washing or drying your hair?

Going to the toilet

Do you need help adjusting your clothes after using the toilet, using the toilet at night, or changing clothes or bedding if you have an accident?

Help with medical treatment

Do you need help identifying your tablets, reading and understanding instructions about taking medication, managing a condition such as diabetes, recognising if your condition deteriorates, or adjusting your hearing aid?

Supervision

Do you need someone to watch over you in case you have a fall or seizure or pass out, in case you lack awareness of danger or could be a danger to yourself or others, or in case you get confused, forgetful or disorientated? Do you need someone to give you medication for angina or asthma attacks, or to help calm you down during a panic attack?

Getting dressed or undressed

Do you need help with fastenings, buttons and shoelaces, or recognising when your clothes are on inside out?

Mealtimes

Do you need any help eating and drinking?

Communicating

Do you need help understanding or hearing people, or being understood by them; answering the phone, or dealing with correspondence?

Getting around indoors

Do you need help navigating stairs, getting up from a chair, getting in and out of bed, or moving safely from room to room?