If you’ve ever completed an Attendance Allowance (AA) form, you’ll know it takes time, thought, and sometimes a little patience. Explaining your daily needs, collecting medical details, and finding the right words can feel like hard work — so when you finally send it off, it’s tempting to breathe a sigh of relief and tidy everything away.
But before you do, here’s one small but important tip that could save you hours later on: keep a copy of your completed form and any related paperwork.
Why keeping your form matters
When your Attendance Allowance application is successful, your award is usually for a specific term. You’ll see the end date clearly printed on the letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
A few months before that date, the DWP will write to you again. The letter might include wording like this:
“Your award of Attendance Allowance is due to end on 05/03/26. But you can claim again. We are sending you a form to claim again with this letter.”
When that moment comes, having your original application on hand can make renewing your claim far simpler. You’ll already know what you wrote before, how you described your needs, and which sections took the most time. Instead of starting from scratch, you can use your old form as a guide — making the renewal process smoother, faster, and less stressful.
How to store your paperwork safely
A few small steps now can make all the difference later:
- Photocopy or scan your completed form before you send it.
- Keep all DWP letters together, including your award notice and any renewal correspondence.
- Store everything securely — ideally in a clearly labelled folder, or digitally if you prefer.
If you’re a Podplan member, you can record exactly where these documents are kept in the Life Admin section of your PodVault. It’s a secure, private space inside Podplan that helps you and your family keep track of vital information — so if anyone ever needs to find your Attendance Allowance paperwork, they’ll know exactly where to look.
A quick reminder about Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free, non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care due to illness or disability. It can be worth thousands a year, depending on your level of need.
If you need a paper form, you can request one from the Attendance Allowance helpline 0800 731 0122. And if you return it within six weeks, your payments can be backdated to the date you made the call — something that’s often missed but can make a real financial difference.
For readers in Scotland
If you live in Scotland, new claims are gradually being replaced by the Pension Age Disability Payment, administered by Social Security Scotland. The process is similar, and the same advice applies — keeping copies of your application and letters will make any renewal much easier.
Bringing everything together with Podplan
Many people tell us that it’s not just the Attendance Allowance form that’s challenging — it’s managing all the surrounding paperwork, remembering what’s due for renewal, and keeping essential documents in one place.
That’s exactly where Podplan membership helps. You’ll get access to tools such as:
- PodVault – to safely record where important information and documents are stored.
- PodPlanner – a step-by-step guide to help you plan for the future and identify any gaps in preparation.
- PodPost Archive – a complete library of all our weekly educational emails and insights.
Together, they make it easier to stay organised, informed, and confident about the future.
Liked this tip?
You can get expert insights like this every week when you become a Podplan member — helping you and your family stay one step ahead, with everything you need in one trusted place.
Join Podplan today and start simplifying life’s important plans.
