The Department for Work and Pensions benefit is designed to help people aged 66 and over – but many don’t apply
Financial expert Martin Lewis has launched a renewed call for pensioners who may be eligible to check whether they’re missing out on thousands of pounds each year through an “underclaimed” state benefit.
Attendance Allowance, aimed at people aged 66 and above living with disabilities or serious health conditions requiring regular care, is provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The support offers two rates of payment, either £76.70 or £114.60 a week, depending on the level of help you need, which could add an extra £3,988.40 or £5,959.20 annually, and crucially isn’t subject to a means test.
Significantly, eligibility for Attendance Allowance isn’t determined by income or savings, ensuring all qualifying claimants receive the payment irrespective of their financial situation.
Mr Lewis has said: “So 1.1 million people potentially in the UK—State Pensioners, you have to be of state pension age—are missing out on Attendance Allowance. Now, that 1.1 million number is one from myself and my team, and Policy in Practice have worked out it is not a government figure.
“Now, this is a payment that helps you if you need help—it’s to give you extra money if you need help and support. Crucially, it isn’t means-tested, so they don’t look at how much money you have. It’s pretty binary: you either qualify for it or you don’t qualify for it.”
He warned that people on some benefits aren’t eligible: “I should say, if you’re entitled to PIP (Personal Independence Payment) or Disability Living Allowance, you can’t get both, and they tend to be better for you, so you wouldn’t want it.
“Now, to qualify for this, you need to have supervision for six months. So help or supervision for six months, I should say. Help means help with daily living; supervision means avoiding dangers to yourself. Now, the daily living one, just to give people what this is all about: what does help mean? You don’t actually have to be getting the help, you just need to need help.
“This is from Lord Denning, who was Master of the Rolls back in 1981, if anyone remembers him. He was a quite famous judge at the time. He defined the type of help that is still generally, loosely used as what we’re talking about. It means help with bodily functions, including breathing, hearing, seeing, eating, drinking, walking, sitting, sleeping, getting in or out of bed, dressing, undressing, eliminating waste products, and the like—all of which an ordinary person who is not suffering from any disability does for himself or herself, obviously, although that’s not what was said.”
A range of common medical conditions could entitle individuals to Attendance Allowance, amongst them arthritis, vision impairments, heart conditions, Parkinson’s disease, and respiratory problems such as asthma.
There are two payment tiers available, determined by the level of care needed, with the higher rate providing £114.60 per week and the lower rate offering £76.70.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirms that while the benefit is intended to help cover care costs, claimants are entirely free to spend the money however they see fit.
MSE reader Dawn revealed her extraordinary success story: “Dear Martin, after watching numerous shows I have successfully claimed Attendance Allowance for both of my parents worth £10,598/yr and Pension Credit worth £1,233/yr. This opened doorways to Housing Benefit worth £9,207/yr, Council Tax reduction of £1,534/yr, a free TV licence saving £169/yr and swapping their phone to BT saving £420/yr. They also received rebates of £3,449 for Housing Benefit and £604 for Council Tax. All in all, they are better off by more than £20,000/yr thanks to you and obviously me for completing the necessary applications! Thank you for everything you do.”
How to claim Attendance Allowance:
To qualify for Attendance Allowance, individuals must have reached state pension age, which currently stands at 66. The benefit is available regardless of whether the claimant is already receiving their state pension, holds savings, or remains in paid employment.
The application paperwork can be complicated, though support is on hand from organisations such as Citizens Advice and Age UK, both of which offer guidance throughout the process and can assist with online submissions. To qualify, claimants must have a physical condition, mental health concern, or illness serious enough to necessitate assistance for their own welfare or that of others, with this care having been required for at least six months.
The lower payment rate requires regular supervision or support during daytime or evening periods, while the higher sum is designated for those needing round-the-clock assistance or people approaching end of life.
Applicants must be residing in Great Britain when submitting their claim and have been present in the country for a minimum of two years within the preceding three. Determinations are usually reached by DWP officials based upon the details supplied in the application form, rendering it essential to provide all pertinent information, including a national insurance number, NHS number, prescription and hospital documentation.
The majority of applicants won’t be required to attend a face-to-face assessment, though this possibility does exist.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirms that should it be uncertain how your disability or health condition impacts you, a healthcare professional will carry out an examination. It’s worth noting that you cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you’re already in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
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