A benefits expert is urging people to check if they are eligible for a £5,000 financial boost after claiming that millions of Brits are missing out on cash that is rightfully theirs. Pensioners over the age of 66 could bank more than £400 a month in Attendance Allowance.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit helps people who are over state pension age who are physically or mentally disabled.. It is estimated that around £15billion in benefits is unclaimed every year in the UK, with Attendance Allowance cited as 'the most underclaimed' with 3.4 million people missing out.
A benefits expert told the Express that they are urging people to do a benefits check to see if they could be owed extra money. Paul Brennan said: “Attendance Allowance is a weekly benefit that is paid to people aged over pensionable age that helps those who have difficulty with their bodily functions, and who need support or supervision to avoid danger to themselves or others."
He said: He added: "Currently, this benefit is worth up to £92.40, paid weekly - but this is due to increase to £101.75 in April of this year, adding up to around £5,000 a year."
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More than two million pensioners are living in poverty in the UK, according to a report published by the Centre for Ageing Better. The Attendance Allowance cash boost could be a lifeline for these households in particular.
While no specific condition guarantees financial support, conditions which require help or supervision with eating, getting dressed, or bathing could make someone eligible. This could include depression, arthritis, loss of vision, back pain, and dementia but applicants don't need to have a carer to qualify.
The benefits expert confirmed there is no limit to what people can spend this money on, allowing people to put it towards whatever may help now, or in the future. It you think you qualify for the extra benefit, visit the Government website for full details and to download the Attendance Allowance claim form to apply by post. The form comes with notes telling you how to fill it in. The attendance Allowance helpline may be reached on:
Telephone: 0800 731 0122
Textphone: 0800 731 0317
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 731 0122
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Before contacting the DWP, claimants should make sure they have their contact details, date of birth and National Insurance number to hand. Applicants may also need their bank or building society account number and sort code, doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number and dates and addresses for any time spent abroad or in a care home or hospital.
Who is eligible for Attendance Allowance?
People aged 66 and over with a health condition or disability that affects them physically or mentally
Those who have difficulties looking after themselves
Claimants who have needed assistance or will need assistance for at least six months.
The health conditions qualify for Attendance Allowance including
- Arthritis
- Spondylosis
- Back Pain – Other / Precise Diagnosis not Specified
- Disease of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
- Trauma to Limbs
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Heart disease
- Chest disease
- Asthma
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Peripheral vascular Disease
- Epilepsy Neurological Diseases
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson's Disease
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Metabolic Disease
- Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Learning Difficulties
- Psychosis
- Psychoneurosis
- Personality Disorder
- Dementia
- Behavioural Disorder
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Hyperkinetic syndrome
- Renal Disorders
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Bowel and Stomach Disease
- Blood Disorders
- Haemophilia
- Multi System Disorders
- Multiple Allergy Syndrome Skin Disease
- Malignant Disease
- Severely Mentally impaired
- Double Amputee
- Deaf/Blind
- Haemodialysis
- Frailty
- Total Parenteral Nutrition
- AIDS
- Infectious diseases: Viral disease - Coronavirus covid-19
- Infectious diseases: Viral disease - precise diagnosis not specified
- Infectious diseases: Bacterial disease – Tuberculosis
- Infectious diseases: Bacterial disease – precise diagnosis not specified
- Infectious diseases: Protozoal disease – Malaria
- Infectious diseases: Protozoal disease – other / precise diagnosis not specified
- Infectious diseases - other / precise diagnosis not specified
- Cognitive disorder - other / precise diagnosis not specified
- Terminally Ill
Check using a benefits calculator
You can use an independent, free and anonymous benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to. This will give you an estimate of:
- the benefits you could get
- how much your benefit payments could be
- how your benefits will be affected if you start work or increase your hours
- how your benefits will be affected if your circumstances change - for example, if you have a child or move in with your partner
The government website points Brits towards three calculators
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