Attendance Allowance - How much Attendance Allowance will I get?

 Attendance Allowa nce is paid at two rates, depending on how often you need care:

• The lower rate is £72.65 a week. You get this if you need frequent care throughout the day or night
• The higher rate is £108.55 a week. You get this if you need frequent care throughout the day and night or if you are terminally ill .

You can spend Attendance Allowance as you want. You do not have to spend it on someone looking after you.

If you receive Attendance Allowance, you also qualify for a Christmas Bonus each year. This is usually £10. You do not need to make a claim for the bonus. It is paid automatically. It does not affect any other benefits you might get.

Benefit Cap

If you or your partner receive Attendance Allowance, you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap which limits the total amount in some benefits that working-age people can receive.

How will I be paid Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance will be paid directly into your bank or building society account, or by Payment Exception Service if you are unable to open or manage one of these or a similar account.

Attendance Allowance is usually paid every four weeks.

It can be paid for a minimum of six months or longer if you carry on having care needs.

If you go into hospital, it will stop after four weeks. See our Benefits in hospital guide.

Attendance Allowance and other benefits

If you start to get Attendance Allowance, it might increase the amount of other benefits or credits you are entitled to. For example, you may get extra Housing Benefit (England, Scotland, Wales), Housing Benefit (Northern Ireland) or Pension Credit. You should tell the organisations who pay your other benefits that you have been awarded Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance is normally ignored as income for working out other benefits.

If you start getting Attendance Allowance, someone looking after you might be able to claim a benefit called Carer's Allowance.