State pensioners claiming Attendance Allowance may be able to increase their monthly payment by £146. Attendance Allowance is a benefit distributed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to people over state pension age (currently 66) who need help with personal care or supervision due to illness or a disability.
The money is paid at two rates, with the amount received based on how much help a person needs. However, some claimants, whose health may have deteriorated since their initial award, may need to notify the DWP of changes in their circumstances. By doing this, those receiving the lower rate could see their entitlement rise to the full rate of payment.
At present, the lower weekly rate of Attendance Allowance is worth £73.90, whereas the higher weekly rate pays £110.40. The benefit is paid every four weeks, so the total monthly rate would rise from £295.60 to £441.60, marking a £146 increase.
The DWP lists nine changes in circumstances a person must report, which could impact both the payment rate and eligibility for the benefit. Therefore, while contacting the DWP is essential to potentially receive an increased payment, it’s also crucial to avoid any penalties.
The changes listed by the DWP include:
- The level of help you need or their condition changes – details must be provided, such as whether the number of times you need help each day has changed
- You go into hospital or a care home – you’ll need to provide the address, the dates you’ve been there, and how your stay is paid for
- A medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live
- You leave the country for more than four weeks
- You go to prison
- You change your name, address or bank details
- You want to stop receiving the benefit
- Your doctor’s details have changed
- Your immigration status changes if you’re not a British citizen.
If you experience a change in circumstance, you can report it using the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, textphone at 0800 731 0317, or via Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone), on 18001 then 0800 731 0122.
The benefit is not means-tested, which means current savings or income will not affect the claim, and it won’t impact other benefits you might receive.
Who is eligible for Attendance Allowance?
You must be over the state pension age (currently 66) and have a type of disability or illness. This can range from conditions such as learning difficulties, sight or hearing impairments, mobility issues such as arthritis, to mental health issues such as dementia.
It must be clear that you could benefit from help with personal care. You must have also needed help for at least six months, but those who are terminally ill can claim the benefit straight away.
Britons don’t need to have had a diagnosis for their condition to apply for Attendance Allowance.
However, some may have to undergo an assessment to check eligibility if it’s unclear how their disability or health condition affects them.
If you require an assessment, you will receive a letter explaining why and where to go. During the assessment, a medical professional will need to examine you.
To claim, people need to fill out an Attendance Allowance form, clearly outlining the help they do need, as well as the help they don’t, in order to get the benefit. A form can be picked up by either calling the helpline on 0800 731 0122 or downloading it from the Government website.
