What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people age 65+ who need extra help to stay independent at home, due to long term illness or disability.
How can it help?
Recipients can use the money in any way that will help at home; put the heating on more, use taxis to get out and about, hire a shopper, a carer, or someone to provide respite. You can even save up for a stair lift. Whatever way that helps you to live well at home.
Am I eligible?
Talk to us to find out. You need to have been struggling with things like bathing or walking for at least 6 months (includes dementia). There is no limit to savings and the benefit is not reliant on, nor affects any other income you receive.
We can discuss with you your possible eligibility, explain how the benefit works and thanks to Hebden Bridge Rotary club grant, volunteers can help you apply. You could be claiming either £72.65 or £108.55 per week to help you live independently, which is not reliant on your savings, home ownership, whether you live alone etc- just on your current care needs.
“I used to worry about getting old -even losing sleep over it – old age is a nightmare!
I broke a bone and it takes me ages to get to the shops once a month. I get my prescriptions delivered.
A friend in a nearby town ordered the attendance allowance forms, one for his parent and one for me. I started filling it in but it’s complicated. A friend asked if I had tried Age Concern, I knew they had an office, as last year my bus pass expired and a kind, lovely lady had got me a new pass straight away.
So I walked with my stick, to ask them to check the form, if it’s correct. It turns out I’d made a mess of it, they said I had not put enough information, so they filled one in.
I don’t want to get anything I don’t need when the country’s under financial strain. My business is on it’s last legs and I have bills to pay – so since I got Attendance Allowance, I can afford taxis, £4 each way. It’s is a big help, I feel much more secure, but I’m scared it’ll be taken away.
Age Concern is a wonderful charity, I don’t know what I’d have done without it!
I gave them a donation. Make the most of youth!