Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to review the six-month qualifying period for Attendance Allowance for pensioners who develop (a) immediate and (b) substantial care needs following (i) a stroke and (ii) diagnosis of another life-changing condition.

Entitlement to Attendance Allowance (AA) is based on the need for frequent personal care and attention, or supervision to ensure their safety, rather than on a particular medical condition. 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. For people nearing the end of life, special rules apply, and there is no requirement to satisfy the six-month qualifying period.