DWP payments worth £5,644 a year for certain pensioners

Pensioners living with long-term health issues could see an income boost of more than £5,000 a year. Changes in eligibility rules by the UK Government mean that approximately 10 million individuals over the State Pension age across Great Britain will no longer qualify for Winter Fuel Payments.

This annual financial aid, which can be up to £300, will be missed by many households this winter. However, older people with long-term illnesses, disabilities or physical or mental health conditions may be unaware they could qualify for support through Attendance Allowance.

This non-means-tested benefit is worth either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) each week. Typically paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £290.60 or £434.20 per pay period – totalling £5,644.60 over the 2024/25 financial year.

This makes it over £5,314 more valuable in extra financial support than the one-off annual Winter Fuel Payment. However, if you are over 66 and on a low income, it’s crucial that you check if you are entitled to Pension Credit, which is worth around £3,900 each year and acts as a gateway benefit to other support including help with housing costs, Council Tax and Winter Fuel Payments, as reported by the Daily Record.

New claims for Pension Credit made before December 21, 2024, which are later successful, will also be eligible for a backdated Winter Fuel Payment.

Check eligibility for Pension Credit

To swiftly verify eligibility for Pension Credit, older individuals or their friends and family can utilise the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK .

Alternatively, pensioners can ring the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) latest figures reveal that at the end of February 2024, over 1.6 million people over State Pension age were receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance.

The amount received for Attendance Allowance is dependent on the level of support required and the benefit is designed to assist people of State Pension age with daily living expenses, which can also help them maintain independence in their own home for longer.

Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance

It’s important to note that there is no mobility component attached to Attendance Allowance. The conditions supported by Attendance Allowance and are sourced from information recorded on the DWP‘s Attendance Allowance computer system.

However, this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance. Instead, it aims to help people understand the types of conditions that are supported.

If you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should refer to the official eligibility guidance for Attendance Allowance on the GOV. UK website.