If you need constant care and attention as a result of an injury or disease, you may be entitled to Constant Attendance Allowance.
Constant Attendance Allowance can only be paid if you also receive either Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit at the 100% level or an 80% War Disablement Pension.
A medical examination will be carried out to determine the extent of the disability.
You also need to show that you need daily care and attention as a result of your disability, and that you're likely to need that care for a long time. The daily help that unpaid Carers provide is counted for these purposes.
The type of care and attention needed must be directly connected to your disability or illness. Needing help with dressing, undressing or ordinary housework is not sufficient.
How much is Constant Attendance Allowance?
There are different weekly rates of Constant Attendance Allowance, which depend on the extent of the disability of the person you're looking after and the amount of care that they need.
You will get either the normal rate, the intermediate rate, or an exceptional rate if you're severely disabled and need attendance all the time.
There's also a "part-time" rate for those who only need part-time attendance.
How to claim Constant Attendance Allowance
If you are paid Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit at the 100% rate, you may be awarded Constant Attendance Allowance based on a medical opinion without having to make a separate claim. Otherwise, contact Barnsley Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Centre for more information, on 0345 758 5433.
If you are paid War Disablement Pension, you can claim Constant Attendance Allowance on Form WPA 0003, which can be obtained from Veterans UK by telephone, on 0808 1914 218.
Will other claims for benefits be affected?
If you are eligible for Constant Attendance Allowance, you will not be eligible to get Attendance Allowance or the care component of Disability Living Allowance as well. However, if those benefits would amount to more than Constant Attendance Allowance, your Constant Attendance Allowance can be topped-up to bring it to the same level.
Constant Attendance Allowance may affect means-tested benefits paid, such as Income Support and Pension Credit.
The official online source of government information on benefits is GOV.UK.
Article provided by NHS Choices
Last Updated: 12th Aug 2021, 10:27