If a person is nearing the end of their life, and want to claim Attendance Allowance, there are special rules put in place for them.
This means, if a person has a progressive disease and isn't expected to live longer than another 12 months, their claim will be processed more quickly.
Anyone who falls into this category will need to send an SR1 form with their claim, so that the government will deal with their claim as quickly as possible.
If you don’t have the SR1 form by the time you fill in the Attendance Allowance claim form, send the SR1 claim form as quickly as you can once you have filled it out.
Your doctor or nurse should email or post the form to the relevant government department.
What does Attendance Allowance under the special rules mean?
Receiving Attendance Allowance under the special rules means:
- Getting the higher rate of Attendance Allowance
- Getting paid straight away (you do not need to wait until you have needed help for 6 months)
- Your claim will be dealt with more quickly
Claiming under the special rules for someone else
You can claim under the special rules for someone else, and you do not need to tell them you are claiming for them.
On the SR1 claim form, write about them and their needs in detail.
The correct government department will usually write to them about whether they can get Attendance Allowance, but we will not tell them anything about the special rules.
If you are filling in the SR1 claim form as part of your job, you do not need to note your National Insurance number or date of birth on question 13.
How to claim under the special rules
Fill in the SR1 claim form. Tick question 12's box on the claim form to show you are claiming under the special rules.
If you do not tick this box, the government cannot normally pay you under the special rules.
How to get an SR1 form
Ask your doctor or specialist for an SR1 form, which is a free form about your medical condition.
You can ask the doctor’s receptionist, a nurse or a social worker to arrange this for you. You do not have to see the doctor.
Most doctors’ practices provide SR1 forms very quickly. Ask for the form in a sealed envelope if you do not want anyone to see it.