Mum has dementia. Is there any money to help?

Does dementia count?

Yes. There is no list of qualifying conditions – what counts is the help or supervision she needs because of it, not the name of the diagnosis. The official claim form itself uses "Alzheimers" as its own example of an illness or disability.

How much

Savings, income and pensions do not count towards it, and it is not taxed.

The three checks

• Over State Pension age.
• Needs help or watching over because of an illness or disability.
• Has needed that help for about 6 months.

A worked example

Invented example, not a real claim: someone we'll call Elsie needs reminding to eat, and someone to sit with her while she showers because she has slipped before. Writing "needs help washing" tells DWP little. Saying how often it happens, how long it takes, and what happens without that help is what the form is really asking for.

Often missed

Policy in Practice estimates over 1.1 million pension-age households in Great Britain could be missing out on Attendance Allowance, worth about £5.2bn a year. Do not assume it is not worth asking.

If you are doing the caring

Carer's Allowance pays £86.45 a week (April 2026 to April 2027). To get it, the carer must care for the person for at least 35 hours a week, earn no more than £204 a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses, be 16 or over, and not be in full-time education. The person cared for must get a disability benefit such as Attendance Allowance. Carer's Allowance can affect the other benefits that the carer and the person they care for get, so get a free benefits check first, from Citizens Advice or Age UK.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

In Scotland, Attendance Allowance has been replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment. It's a different form and a different office. In Northern Ireland, Attendance Allowance is run by the Department for Communities, with its own form.

How long the need must have lasted

Attendance Allowance usually needs the help or supervision to have already been needed for about 6 months, unless nearing the end of life, when the wait is skipped.

What to do next

Ring 0800 731 0122 and ask for the claim form. The claim can start from the date of the call, if the form is returned within 6 weeks. DWP sends a text or letter within 3 weeks to say when to expect a decision.