Attendance Allowance

• Use an up-to-date claim form.
• Make a photocopy of the claim form once you've completed it.
• You have 6 weeks to complete the form, so take your time filling it in – try to get help if you need it. Our helpline advisers are here for you - find out more about the Parkinson's UK helpline. The Department for Work and Pensions will give an extension to this time limit if you contact them.
• Don't be afraid to add extra pages if needed – just remember to write your name and National Insurance number on each page.
• Don't underestimate your needs. If you have a carer, think about what it would be like without them. If you manage on your own, don't be afraid to make it clear how difficult it is for you.
• If an assessor visits you, try not to feel uncomfortable or be rushed into making hasty comments, such as "I can manage by myself". Keep in mind why you're applying for this benefit. If you live by yourself, you might have to manage by yourself – but if you get help you may be able to do things more effectively, or quicker, or without risk or pain. Let the assessor know if this is the case.
• Your condition may change throughout the day. It's important that you write down this information when you complete the claim form.
• If your condition changes from day to day, explain what you're like on an average or typical day, but also include what you're like on both a good and bad day. Write down how often you have both good and bad days (for example, "I have bad days around 4 days each week").

Take some time to think about how Parkinson's affects you before filling in the Attendance Allowance claim form. It might be helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• Is dressing a problem?
• Is bathing or showering difficult?
• Do you need help cutting toenails or fingernails?
• How do you get out of bed?
• Do you find it difficult to start moving?
• Do you fall or stumble sometimes? If so, is it difficult to get up again?
• Do you need someone with you when you go outside?
• Does your condition change throughout the day?
• Do you have times during the day when you go 'off'?
• What's your handwriting like?
• What's your speech like?

For some of these points, it may also help to keep a daily diary of your care needs. Find out more about monitoring your Parkinson's.

Write down in the claim form any changes you've had to make to your routine because of your condition. For
example, you may have difficulty putting on make-up, wearing jewellery or tying a tie. If you wear lipstick and have problems applying it, you may give up wearing it. But why should you if that's part of your appearance? This needs to be explained.

You may want to wear a tie every day because you don't feel properly dressed without one. But you might need help because it's difficult to do it yourself. This also needs to be mentioned.

You might now wear a different style of clothes. This could be because you find them easier to put on. For example, you might wear a sweatshirt without buttons rather than a cardigan, or shoes without laces, because they're easier to manage. If this is the case, always say so in the claim form and explain why you now wear a particular piece of clothing.