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• Over 65
• Tips on form filling

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Making a claim

The claim form is designed for you to explain about your own needs. It is important to answer all the questions as fully as possible.

Do not be put off because the forms are long. Put down as much detail as you can to give a true picture of all the difficulties your disability causes for you. Use the blank spaces on each page to explain your difficulties. The information on the form will be considered by a 'decision maker' from the Department for Work and Pensions who may well telephone you to discuss your difficulties. You need to be realistic and honest on the form and the telephone. 

Attendance Allowance is paid, whether or not you have savings, and any other income you have does not affect it. It is a cash benefit to help with the extra costs of disability. It is up to you how you spend it. 

Describe all the help you need

Remember, it is the care or help you need that counts, not whether anyone actually helps you. You can live alone and still qualify for benefit.

It may be useful to keep a list of all the things you need help with, for about a week, before you start filling in the forms. This can help you to think about all of the things that you ought to mention. Put down everything you need help with, or find difficult or awkward to manage alone. It does not matter how minor some of these things may see to you.

You may try to think positively about coping with your disabilities. When you fill in the claim forms you need to be as realistic as possible. This means looking at the negative things your disability causes - but it is important to put down details of every difficulty you experience, including the length of time it takes to do things and any pain and discomfort you feel.

We can give you tips that may help you with the forms. They are suggested on the basis of common conditions such as arthritis, heart and breathing difficulties and back problems, but each person is affected differently. If you have other needs, put them down on the claim form. See the link on the left for 'Tips on form filling'.

If you have difficulty with the form, ask a relative or friend to help, or ring the Benefits Helpline for advice. If you have a home help or some other connection with Social Services they may be able to help with your claim form.

Unhappy with the decision?

Many claims are refused initially, or paid at a lower rate than was expected. This could be because your claim form did not explain in enough detail about your circumstances or, due to the Department for Work and Pensions not fully understanding your situation when making their decision. 

This decision can be challenged by either revision or appeal. Derbyshire County Council's Welfare Rights Service can help you with this, but you need to act quickly as there is a one month time limit for asking for a revision or appeal.