Attendance Allowance for Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's affects movement, balance and often cognition — all of which can mean you need help with personal care. If you're over State Pension age and Parkinson's is making daily life harder, Attendance Allowance can pay up to £108.55 a week.
How Parkinson's disease can qualify you
To get Attendance Allowance you need to show that your Parkinson's disease causes you to need help with personal care, supervision, or both — not just that you have the diagnosis. The DWP cares about the effect the condition has on your day-to-day life.
For people with Parkinson's disease, the kinds of needs that often qualify include:
- Help with washing, dressing or getting in and out of the bath because of tremors, stiffness or freezing
- Help cutting up food or holding cutlery when symptoms flare
- Supervision because of falls or balance problems
- Help with medication timing — Parkinson's meds often have to be taken at strict intervals
- Night-time help with turning over in bed, getting to the toilet, or because of restless sleep
Real-world examples we'd write on the form
The AA1 form rewards detail. A claim that just says "I have Parkinson's disease" will be turned down. A claim that describes the practical impact — what goes wrong, how often, who helps — gets paid. Here are the kinds of things we'd put down for someone with Parkinson's disease:
- 'When my tablets wear off I can't fasten buttons or do up zips. My wife has to dress me from the waist up most afternoons.'
- 'I've fallen four times this year. My son rings me three times a day to check I'm OK and won't let me shower unless he's in the house.'
- 'Mum's medication has to be taken at 7am, 11am, 3pm and 7pm. She forgets and I or my sister has to come round to make sure she takes it.'
- 'I can't get out of bed without help. My husband has to roll me onto my side and lever me up — sometimes twice a night for the toilet.'
We do this part for you — most people find it hard to write about their own struggles, and our team know exactly what the DWP is looking for.
Start your claim
Pop your details below and we'll call you back to talk through your situation. If you don't qualify, we'll tell you straight away — no time wasted.