State pensioners are being urged to check if they are eligible for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Attendance Allowance.
This comes as millions are thought to be missing out on the benefit, which can be worth more than £3,000 a year.
A new warning from Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert in its latest newsletter reads: “1.1 million pensioners miss out on at least £3,778 a year.
“This is a non-means-tested benefit giving a fixed payout of £3,778/yr or £5,644/yr to cover some of the costs of providing help for those who need it.”
It continued: “Who’s likely missing out? Those who have needed help over six months, day or night, with daily living (such as washing and eating) or supervision (someone to watch you if you’re a danger to yourself or others). It’s common for those with Parkinson’s, dementia, terminal illness, blindness and more.”
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is distributed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It’s targeted at people over the state pension age (currently 66) who need help with personal care or supervision due to illness or a disability.
People can find a full list of medical conditions that could qualify a person for Attendance Allowance here.
The benefit is paid at two rates, the lower rate and the higher rate. The amount eligible claimants receive is calculated based on how much help is needed, not any current help the person does or doesn’t get.
The lower and higher payment rates include:
This means the highest payment would amount to around £470 a month and a much more significant £5,644 a year.
Those requiring assistance during the day or night may qualify for the lower rate, while those needing help both day and night or facing a terminal illness may be eligible for the higher rate.
However, it should be noted that 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).
To claim, people need to fill out an Attendance Allowance form and clearly outline the help they do need, as well as the help they don’t.
People can get access to a form by either calling the helpline on 0800 731 0122 or downloading it from the Government website, here.
