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Attendance Allowance

Who Can Help You Fill in the Attendance Allowance Form

In my experience, receiving Attendance Allowance appeared to unlock doors to all sorts of help, both financial and social care.  It seems to be the standard by which the NHS and other organisations judge whether or not you are worthy of their help.  For example, once Jackie was receiving the allowance it was much easier to get the council to give us a discount on Council Tax.

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In applying I found it very useful to have Age Uk come to our apartment, see Jackie, and with my help fill in the form.  They are used to these applications and know how to phrase the information in the best way.

 

They are not the only organisations that can help.  Here are the contact details, provided by ChatGPT:

 

1. Age UK 

 

Age UK advisers regularly help people with dementia complete Attendance Allowance forms.

They understand the wording, what to include, and how to describe dementia-related needs.

 

They can help by:

 

  • Going through the form line-by-line

  • Describing care/supervision needs in the right way

  • Helping you gather supporting evidence

  • Filling the form with/for you

 

How to contact:

 

  • Call your local Age UK office (each borough has one)

  • Or ring the Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602

 

 

2. Alzheimer’s Society (Dementia Connect support line)

 

A specialist dementia advisor can guide you through the form or talk through how to describe the effects of dementia.

 

Dementia Connect Helpline:

📞 0333 150 3456

(Open 7 days a week)

 

They can:

 

  • Explain eligibility

  • Help you understand the questions

  • Give examples of typical dementia-related wording

  • Talk through “hidden” needs such as safety risks, confusion, wandering, supervision, and night-time needs

 

 

3. Citizens Advice

 

Your local Citizens Advice can provide face-to-face, phone, or video support filling in the form.

 

They can:

 

  • Check you meet the criteria

  • Help you complete the application

  • Ensure you describe difficulties properly (not underplaying them, which people often do)

 

Find your local branch:

👉 https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk

 

 

4. Carers Centres (Carers Trust)

 

Carers centres across the UK offer benefits advice and can help with Attendance Allowance forms.

 

Find your local carers centre:

👉 https://carers.org

 

 

5. Your GP or Memory Clinic

 

They usually won’t fill in the form, but they can write supporting letters confirming:

 

  • the dementia diagnosis

  • the level of need

  • risks (e.g., falls, confusion, wandering)

  • night-time care needs

 

These letters strengthen the application.

 

 

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What help looks like (in practice)

 

Most organisations will sit with you (or over the phone/Zoom) and ask questions like:

 

  • Does the person need supervision to stay safe?

  • Do they forget to eat, drink, wash or take medication?

  • Do they need prompts or explanations?

  • Are they confused at night?

  • Do they need someone around to prevent accidents?

  • Are there mobility problems, falls, or incontinence issues?

 

They then translate your real-life experience into the wording that the DWP expects.

 

For dementia, the key issues include:

 

  • Memory issues

  • Disorientation

  • Safety risks

  • Difficulty with daily tasks

  • Night-time needs

  • Help with medication

  • Supervision

  • Behavioural changes

 

These are all absolutely valid grounds for Attendance Allowance.

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