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For people 65 and over who have health problems.
Attendance Allowance, sometimes referred to as AA, is a tax-free benefit for people aged 65 or over who need help with personal care because they are physically or mentally disabled.
Who can get Attendance Allowance?
You may get Attendance Allowance if:
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you have a physical or mental disability, or both
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your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself
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you are aged 65 or over when you claim
If you are under age 65, you may be able to get Disability Living Allowance.
Attendance Allowance is not usually affected by any savings or income you may have.
Special Rules - if you are terminally ill
If you have a progressive disease and you are not expected to live for more than another six months there are special rules for claiming to make sure you get your benefit more quickly and easily.
How much do you get?
The amount you get depends on how much your disability affects you. Your savings do not effect the amount of award you may receive.
Effect on other benefits and entitlements
If you start to get Attendance Allowance, it might increase the amount of other benefits or credits you're entitled to. You may get an extra amount for severe disability with Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Pension Credit.
Attendance Allowance is normally ignored as income for working out these income-related benefits and credit.
You may be entitled to Attendance Allowance if you answer ‘yes’ to any of the following:-
Do you have any difficulty with:
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Dressing or undressing
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Washing, showering or bathing
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Using the toilet
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Eating or drinking
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Taking medicines
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Getting in or out of bed
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Cooking a main meal for yourself
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Communicating
Do you have difficulties because:
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You are unsteady on your feet
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You sometimes fall or have accidents
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You cannot see or hear very well
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You have an illness which comes on suddenly and puts you at risk
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You get breathless or tired after walking only a short distance
Important
If you have somebody to help you, think how you would manage without them. Could you still cope or would you be risking your safety?
For further information contact the Welfare Rights Team on: 01452 396979 or email: welfare.benefits@gloucester.gov.uk|
If you require this information in Gujrati, Urdu, Bengali and Chinese please contact the above telephone number.
Please note: That all information on all these benefits gives general guidance only and should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.
Last Updated: 03/02/09
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