Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (or DWP) that provides financial help for people who have reached State Pension age and require care or supervision because of a long-term health condition or disability.
Like all state benefits, Attendance Allowance is paid on the condition that the claimant’s circumstances remain consistent with their initial award.
Therefore, a critical responsibility for every recipient is to promptly report any change in their personal life, care needs, or living situation.
Failing to report a change immediately can lead to an incorrect payment, which may result in an overpayment that you must pay back, or a delay in receiving a higher rate if your needs have increased.
What changes in my condition or needs must I report?
You must contact the DWP straight away if the level of help or care you need changes.
The amount of Attendance Allowance you receive, either the lower or higher rate, is based entirely on whether you need frequent help or supervision during the day, at night, or both.
Therefore, any change in your condition that affects your care needs must be reported.
This includes:
- Your health condition is getting better or worse: For instance, if your condition deteriorates and you now need help throughout the night, which could increase your award from the lower to the higher rate.
- The level of personal care or supervision you need changes: For example, if you now need physical help with washing and dressing when you did not before, or if your need for constant supervision to keep you safe has lessened.
- If a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live: This is known as a claim under the special rules for end of life, which guarantees the higher rate of Attendance Allowance and results in a faster decision.
How do I contact the DWP to report a change?
The fastest and most common way to report a change in circumstances for Attendance Allowance is by calling the dedicated Attendance Allowance helpline.
The Department for Work and Pensions strongly advises claimants to call as soon as they are aware of a change.
Reporting a change by telephone is preferred because it allows the DWP to record the date you reported the change, and the officer can advise you immediately on how the change might affect your benefit.
The official contact details for the Attendance Allowance helpline are:
- Telephone: 0800 731 0122
- Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 731 0122
The helpline is generally open from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.
What happens if I go to a hospital or a care home?
If you go into a hospital or move into a care home, you must report this change straight away as it can affect your eligibility.
- Hospital Stay: Your Attendance Allowance payment will stop after you have been in hospital for 28 days, or four full weeks. The payment is made again from the day you leave the hospital. You must keep the DWP informed of all dates you go in and out of the hospital to ensure continuous correct payment.
- Care Home Stay: You cannot usually get Attendance Allowance if you live in a care home and your care fees are paid for by your local authority, the council. You can still claim or receive Attendance Allowance if you pay for all of your care home costs yourself. If there is a change in how your care home fees are funded, for example, if the local authority starts or stops contributing, this must be reported.
What administrative or personal changes must be reported?
In addition to changes in your health and care needs, you must also report administrative changes that affect your claim or how you receive the benefit.
These changes do not affect the rate you receive but are vital for the proper administration of your claim.
These changes include:
- Changing your name, address, or bank details.
- If you go into prison or are held in custody.
- If you plan to leave the country for more than four weeks.
- If you change the person who has the legal authority to act on your behalf, such as an appointee or a person with Power of Attorney.
- If you want to stop receiving the benefit entirely.
Why is it important to report changes immediately?
It is crucial to report any change in circumstances immediately.
If your care needs have increased, a prompt report could result in an increase in your benefit rate, meaning you receive the higher rate from the date the change occurred.
Conversely, if you report a change that reduces your entitlement, such as a long hospital stay, too late, you may be paid too much.
If you are overpaid, you will have to pay that money back to the DWP.
Furthermore, the government states that you could be taken to court or have to pay a financial penalty if you give incorrect information or do not report a change in your circumstances on time.
Should I report a change in my carer’s circumstances?
You must report any changes to the person who is caring for you, as this might affect other benefits they receive.
For instance, if your condition has worsened to the point where your carer now spends at least 35 hours a week helping you, and you receive Attendance Allowance, they may now be eligible to claim Carer’s Allowance.
This change in their financial situation should be reported to the DWP. While this does not affect your Attendance Allowance payment, the change may increase the total income of your household.
What details will the DWP need when I report a change?
When you call the Attendance Allowance helpline to report a change in your condition or care needs, you should be ready to provide clear and detailed information.
The DWP will need:
- Your National Insurance number and personal details for identification.
- The exact date the change occurred.
- A specific, detailed explanation of how the change in your condition or circumstances affects the help or supervision you now need.
- Contact details for any hospital or care home if applicable, including the dates you entered and left.
Being prepared with these details will help the DWP process the change quickly and correctly.
