Signing the Attendance Allowance Form for Someone With Dementia: Appointee and Power of Attorney

Filling in the Attendance Allowance form for a parent or relative with dementia raises an immediate practical question: who signs it? The person with dementia may not understand the form, may not remember agreeing to the claim, or may lack the capacity to sign anything legally binding. Getting this wrong creates anxiety, but the system does have clear routes for each situation.

If the Person Can Still Sign

A dementia diagnosis does not automatically mean someone lacks the capacity to sign the AA1 form. Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (or equivalent legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland), capacity is assessed on a decision-by-decision basis. If the person has capacity to make this specific decision, they can sign the form themselves.

In practice, many people in the early stages of dementia sign their own forms. A family member or carer can fill in the answers based on their observations — the form allows for this — while the person with dementia signs the declaration. The form itself makes clear that someone else can complete the answers on the claimant's behalf.

If the Person Cannot Sign: Three Options

If the person cannot sign the form, the AA1 gives specific options for another person to sign. These include someone with formal authority, or a person who is applying to become the appointee because the claimant is too ill or lacks capacity. Follow the instructions and declaration on the current form.

1. DWP Appointee

A DWP appointee is someone formally authorised to manage a person's DWP benefit claims and payments when they cannot manage them themselves. To become an appointee:

• Contact the DWP benefit office and ask to apply
• A DWP visiting officer will visit to assess the claimant's capacity and your suitability
• If approved, you receive formal appointment and can sign all benefit forms, report changes, and receive payments on the person's behalf

Appointeeship covers only state benefits — not bank accounts, property, or private pensions. It is free and does not require a solicitor.

You can sign the AA1 form while your appointee application is being processed. The form includes a section where you can indicate that you are applying to become an appointee.

2. Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney

If you already hold a registered Property and Financial Affairs LPA for the person with dementia, the DWP will recognise this as authority to manage their benefit claims. Send a certified copy of the LPA with the AA1 form.

Important: a Health and Welfare LPA does not grant authority over financial matters or benefit claims. Only the Property and Financial Affairs LPA covers benefits.

If no LPA was set up before the person lost capacity, it is too late to create one. The remaining options are appointeeship (for benefits only) or deputyship through the Court of Protection (for broader financial matters).

3. Court-Appointed Deputy

A deputy appointed by the Court of Protection in England and Wales, or a controller appointed by Northern Ireland's Office of Care and Protection, may act within the authority granted. For Scotland, the AA1 notes list a tutor, curator bonis, or judicial factor as legal representatives. This is a more formal route than appointeeship and is usually only needed when managing property, savings, or investments alongside benefits.

Scotland: PADP Representatives

For Pension Age Disability Payment in Scotland, Social Security Scotland has its own system. A DWP appointee must apply separately to Social Security Scotland to be appointed for this benefit. Options include:

• A representative formally recognised by Social Security Scotland
• A Continuing Power of Attorney registered with the Office of the Public Guardian in Scotland
• A guardian appointed by the sheriff court

If you are already a DWP appointee and the person's Attendance Allowance has transferred to PADP, apply separately to Social Security Scotland to be appointed for the PADP claim.

Common Worries

"Can I just sign it without formal authority?" The AA1 allows another person to sign in the circumstances listed on the form, including when they are applying to become the appointee for someone who is too ill or lacks capacity, or when completing the form in the claimant's absence. Follow the form's instructions rather than signing outside those options.

"What if we disagree about claiming?" If the person with dementia does not want to claim but clearly needs the benefit, this is a capacity question. If they lack capacity to make this decision, an appointee or attorney can decide for them in their best interests.

"Does the visiting officer talk to the person with dementia?" Usually yes. The visit assesses both the person's capacity and the proposed appointee's suitability. The officer will try to communicate with the person, but they understand that some people with advanced dementia cannot engage meaningfully.

Our dementia claim guide includes a step-by-step section on authority to act — covering appointeeship, LPA, and Scottish representative status — alongside the full form-completion process.

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