Thousands of pensioners in the UK are eligible for Attendance Allowance to help with personal care but the new claim form requires a bit more information to complete.

Attendance Allowance is to help with extra costs if you have a disability, health condition or illness severe enough that you need someone to help look after you.

The scheme is only for people past the State Pension age and can result in a monthly payment worth between £272.40 and £407.00 depending on the level of support the claimant requires.

The benefit received is tax-free, not means tested and does not count against other benefits such as Pension Credit.

As long as the application is made in good faith and the claimant is eligible for the benefit then it is not necessary to spend the money received on a carer.

Independent Age, a charity that financially supports older people, has put together a long form document answering important questions about the process of applying for Attendance Allowance.

The charity recommends that before completing the application you should have:

• your National Insurance number

• the name and address of your GP

• details of anyone else you’ve seen about your illnesses or disabilities in the past 12 months

• details of your medication, such as a recent prescription list

• your hospital record number, if you have one – this should be on your appointment card or any letters the hospital has sent you

• the dates and addresses of any hospitals or care homes you’ve been in.

If you are eligible for Attendance Allowance then you can find the appropriate forms on gov.uk.

The charity also gives the following advice for pensioners to keep in mind when filling out the form:

• Don’t assume that the decision maker at the DWP knows how your medical condition affects you. You know your situation best.

• It’s okay to repeat yourself if the information is relevant to more than one question.

• Include the time it takes you to carry out specific tasks and how much help you need with them, even if there is no one to help you.

• Include any severe discomfort, pain or breathlessness you experience.

• Don’t mention the help you need with household tasks, such as cleaning your home, shopping, cooking or gardening, unless your difficulty is linked to your disability.

• Answer all the questions if you can. Give lots of description and detail about your personal care needs, even if you think it may seem trivial or embarrassing.