Attendance Allowance

Hi lorrainevb,
There are 3 rates for Attendance Allowance- which is a benefit for people over state pension age who need care.
The first level- low rate is for those needing a small amount of care say 1 hour each day.
Middle rate care is for those that need care at various times throughout the day OR alternatively need care throughout the night.
However if you can show that care is needed several times throughout the day, and also during the night you can achieve the highest rate.
Care needs comprise help with bodily functions or activities very closely linked.
Hence help with seeing or hearing, reading, listening and explaining, speaking, dressing, washing, toilet needs, eating etc as well as watching over someone to ensure safety could amount to providing care, and if of sufficient duration will indicate that the cared for person is eligible for Attendance Allowance.
If your Dad only has limited care needs for just a short time all day then low rate care may be the correct level. If you feel that you (or another) are providing a lot of care during each day then you could ask DWP to revise their decision to middle rate. There is no requirement to show night time needs to achieve middle rate.
Night time is when the household normally goes to bed. If you have to get up to attend to eg toilet needs, or indeed any other bodily function repeatedly throughout the night, or eg you need to stay up all night to watch over them this will indicate that the night condition is met.
There is more information in the members guides.
I hope this helps.
LL26