More than a million people could be missing out on a benefit worth at least ‘£3,800 per year’, Martin Lewis has warned. The perk, issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), isn’t ‘means-tested’ either, which means that your income, capital, savings and investments aren’t considered when it is awarded.
Writing in his MoneySavingExpert (MSE) newsletter just this week, the financial guru explained: “Roughly a year ago, we launched our Attendance Allowance (AA) guide and awareness campaign, and successes have flooded in since. Yet it still remains massively underclaimed, and the risk is up to 1.1 million eligible pensioners miss out, according to Policy in Practice’s 2023 calculations.”
Attendance Allowance is financial assistance for individuals who have reached State Pension age and are living with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities. Qualifying Brits generally have a condition ‘severe enough’ to need care or superivison from someone else, and will have been receiving that help for ‘at least six months’, according to the DWP.
Martin also clarified that its minimum rate is ‘£73 a week’ or £3,778 per year’, while higher rates can reportedly reach ‘£109 a week’ or ‘£5,644 per year’. However, if you are nearing the end of your life, the DWP states that ‘you might be able to get Attendance Allowance more quickly and at a higher rate’.
Current department advice adds: “You’ll only need to attend an assessment to check your eligibility if it’s unclear how your disability or health condition affects you. If you do need an assessment you’ll get a letter saying why and where you must go. During the assessment, a medical professional will need to examine you.”
To claim Attendance Allowance, you’ll need your National Insurance number in addition to several more details about your living situation and condition. These include the following:
- Your address and contact details.
- Details of the disability or health condition that you need extra help for.
- Details of your GP surgery or medical centre.
- Details of your care home, hospital or hospice if you’re currently staying in one.
Applications can be submitted online or by post, with the DWP typically then sending a reply within three weeks about when you can expect a decision. Once this decision is made, you’ll then receive further correspondence about what this means.
Crucially, Martin Lewis warned that you may be ineligible to receive Attendance Allowance, if you’re currently receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance.
The DWP continues: “If you’re awarded Attendance Allowance, the decision letter will tell you when you’ll get your first payment. If you apply online, your claim will start on the date you make your claim.
“If you print and post the form, your claim will start on the date the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) receives it. If you call the helpline to get a form, your claim will start on the date of your call (if you return the form within 6 weeks).”
For more information, visit the DWP’s website.