What is Attendance Allowance (AA)?
Attendance Allowance (AA), a benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to people of state pension age and over who need help with personal care because of a disability or health problem, such as sight loss. Many thousands of people with significant sight loss receive AA. You don't have to be registered as blind (severely sight impaired) or partially sighted (sight impaired) to make a claim, and it does not matter how much income you receive or savings you have. You also don't need to have anyone looking after you to get AA.
To get AA you have to show that you need help because of your disability; it does not matter whether any help is actually being provided at present. You will only qualify for AA when you have needed help for at least six months. If you already get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP)/Adult Disability Payment (ADP) (Scotland only), you cannot get Attendance Allowance as well.
There are two levels of AA. If you need help during the day or during the night you may qualify for the lower rate. If you need help during both the day and night you may qualify for the higher rate.
Further information including how to make an effective claim can be found on RNIB's Attendance Allowance webpage.
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Related questions
- How can I get help from my council/local authority to stay independent?
- How can I arrange a social care assessment?
- What help can I get around the home?
- Do I have to be registered sight impaired (partially sighted) or severely sight impaired (blind) to receive Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance?
- What's the difference between Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment? Can I apply for any of them?
