A charity is urging older people with disabilities or long-term health issues to check their eligibility for Attendance Allowance.

A successful application for this non-means-tested, tax-free support could yield £72.65 or £108.55 per week, depending on the level of assistance required.

Claimants receive DWP payments every four weeks, totalling either £290.60 or £434.20. This additional income could significantly aid in maintaining independence at home, with no restrictions on how it's spent, whether on care costs or otherwise.

Fran McSweeney, Independent Age's Head of National Services, has released instructive videos designed to simplify the claiming process.

The guidance recommends preparatory steps such as keeping a diary and patiently working through the extensive benefits application, which includes repetitive and time-consuming questions.

McSweeney advises in the 'Applying for Attendance Allowance' video: "The Attendance Allowance form is long and you might feel like you're repeating yourself because there's lots of questions. It can also take an awful long time to fill in, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time and get yourself comfortable before you fill it in."

Older people, or family members, who think they might be eligible can also use the factsheet on the Independent Age website here, or call the charity directly on 0800 319 6789 to get help or more information. Phone lines are open from 830am to 530pm, Monday to Frida, reports the Daily Record.

Tips for filling in Attendance Allowance application form

Independent Age explains: "The decision maker will use your claim form to work out whether you qualify for Attendance Allowance, so it's important to give as much detail as possible."

They suggest anyone filling in the form should:

• Explain how your condition affects your day-to-day life and what personal tasks you have difficulties with
• Answer all the questions if you can and give examples
• Include the time it takes you to carry out specific tasks and how much help you need with them, even if there’s no one to help you
• Explain how your needs change and how bad your difficulties can be if some days are better than others
• Mention any things you avoid doing because they’re difficult for you – for example, if it’s difficult bending and reaching to put on and take off socks, even while you’re sitting down
• Explain what happens when you don’t receive the care you need, especially if this has left you at risk of falls or struggling to manage
• Send supporting information if you're able to - for example, from your carer, GP or consultant.

The latest figures from the DWP show that in November 2023, there were 1,571,519 people across Great Britain claiming the benefit, including 140,716 living in Scotland.

Below is a quick guide to the benefit to help you decide if you - or a family member - should make a claim.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability, physical or mental health condition, or illness severe enough that it makes it hard for you to look after yourself - it does not cover mobility needs.

You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim.

Who can claim?

You should apply for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you don't currently get that help.

This might include:

Help with your personal care - for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet

Help to stay safe

You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn't just for people with a physical disability or illness.

You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:

a mental health condition

learning difficulties

a sensory condition - if you are deaf or visually impaired

How much could I get on Attendance Allowance?

You could receive £72.65 if you need help during the day or at night or £108.55 if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks, which means you could receive either £290.60 or £434.20 every pay period.

You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer.

This might include:

paying for taxis

helping towards bills

paying for a cleaner or gardener

Attendance Allowance main disabling conditions

• Arthritis
• Spondylosis
• Back Pain
• Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
• Trauma to Limbs
• Visual Disorders and Diseases
• Hearing Disorders
• Heart Disease
• Respiratory Disorders and Diseases
• Asthma
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Cerebrovascular Disease
• Peripheral vascular Disease
• Epilepsy
• Neurological Diseases
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinsons Disease
• Motor Neurone Disease
• Chronic Pain Syndromes
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Metabolic Disease
• Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
• Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
• Learning Difficulties
• Psychosis
• Psychoneurosis
• Personality Disorder
• Dementia
• Behavioural Disorder
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse
• Hyperkinetic Syndrome
• Renal Disorders
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Bowel and Stomach Disease
• Blood Disorders
• Haemophilia
• Multi System Disorders
• Multiple Allergy Syndrome
• Skin Disease
• Malignant Disease
• Severely Mentally impaired
• Double Amputee
• Deaf/Blind
• Haemodialysis
• Frailty
• Total Parenteral Nutrition
• AIDS
• Infectious diseases: Viral disease - Coronavirus covid-19

Medical conditions are sourced from information recorded on the DWP's Attendance Allowance computer system. The DWP says where more than one condition is present the main disabling condition is reported on.

It's important to note this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported. However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance on the GOV.UK website here.

Attendance Allowance is also supporting 43,295 people with a terminal illness.