Among the forms of additional support is Attendance Allowance. This is a payment which helps with extra costs if the person has a disability severe enough that they need someone to help looking after them.

This is to help with personal support, and one may qualify if they are state pension age or older and physically or mentally disabled.

It also may be other benefits a person can get increase if they claim Attendance Allowance.

The rate a person gets depends on the amount of help needed.

The Government defines the level of help needed for the lower rate of £60 per week as: “Frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night.”

For the higher rate, it states: “Help or supervision throughout both day and night, or you’re terminally ill.”

If circumstances change, it may be a person could get a different rate.

Changes of circumstances must be reported, the Government adds.

Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested, and this means what a person earns or how much they have in savings won’t affect what they get.

How to claim Attendance Allowance

The Attendance Allowance claim form should be filled out to apply by post.

The form comes with notes telling a person how to fill it in.

For a copy of the form, or an alternative format such as braille, large print or audio CD, a person is directed to call the Attendance Allowance helpline.