Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons the qualifying period for attendance allowance is six months.

Attendance Allowance provides financial support to severely disabled people who require long-term care or supervision. Although some disabling conditions may appear to be long-term at their onset, this is not always so. The six-month qualifying period helps establish that the disability and the resulting care or supervision needs are of a long-term nature, and ensures the benefit goes to those for whom it is intended.

When awarding a claim, the Decision Maker will look at whether, and for how long, the severely disabled person has required the necessary level of care or supervision before the date of claim, and consider whether some or all of the qualifying period has already been completed.

For people who have a progressive disease and are not expected to live longer than another six months, there is no requirement to meet the 6 month qualifying period.