Attendance Allowance is a benefit distributed by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to people of state pension age (currently 66) or over but the benefit is significantly underclaimed.
The eligibility criteria to receive the benefit are broad and many common health conditions can qualify a person for the support.
One of the most claimed-for conditions is arthritis, and according to the NHS, it’s thought to affect around 10 million people in the UK.
Arthritis is a medical condition that causes pain and inflammation in joints. The condition can affect members of all age groups, however, it’s most common in people aged 40 and over, and thousands of state pensioners are living with it without knowing they could claim financial support.
Currently, the benefit can be worth up to £441 a month at its highest rate, equating to a sizeable £5,291 a year.
READ MORE: Millions could be eligible for up to £1,350 in cost of living support
It’s also worth noting that those who claim and are successful will also be entitled to the disability cost of living payment of £150 coming later this year.
Who is eligible to claim Attendance Allowance?
A person must be or over the state pension age (currently 66) and have been in Great Britain (England, Scotland, or Wales) for the last two years to claim.
They must also be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands and can’t be subject to immigration control.
A person must also have a type of disability or illness which means support or supervision is required to help with personal care.
This can include anything from sight or hearing impairments and learning difficulties to mobility issues or mental health issues such as dementia or psychosis.
People may also be eligible if they have difficulties with smaller, personal tasks, experience pain or need physical help.
Britons don’t need a diagnosis for their condition to apply, but help must have been needed for the past six months unless they have less than 12 months to live.
However, it should be noted, people won’t be able to claim Attendance Allowance if they already receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), or the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Attendance Allowance rates 2023/24
Attendance Allowance is paid at two rates and depends on just how much help is required, However, the money doesn’t need to be spent on care. Instead, it can be put towards other essentials like household bills.
There are two rates of Attendance Allowance offered, the lower rate and the higher rate.
The lower rate applies to people who need help during the day or at night and currently amounts to £68.10 per week.
The higher rate applies to those who need help during both the day and at night or have a terminal illness. This amounts to £101.75 per week.
Attendance Allowance isn’t a means-tested benefit, meaning current savings or income won’t affect the claim, nor will it impact other benefits received.
However, people could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if they qualify for Attendance Allowance. People can check this with the helpline or office dealing with the benefit.
To claim, people need to fill out a form clearly outlining the help they do need, as well as the help they don’t. A form can be retrieved by either calling the helpline on 0800 731 0122 or downloading one from the Government website.
