The Department for Work and Pensions, or DWP, has said that some state pensioners with joint pain could be set to take home an extra £60 per week and others with more severe conditions up £89.60.
Many people below this age, specifically those who suffer from debilitating issues that affect their daily lives like disabilities, mental health conditions and other kinds of illnesses, are able to claim a Personal Independence Payment, also known as a PIP.
This crucial lifeline payment can be massively important for the freedom of people suffering, despite widespread reports of thousands of Brits being 'wrongly' denied the vital payment.
Those who receive it before they reach state pension age can continue to do so, the Manchester Evening News reports. If someone is already receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA), they will be invited to apply for it.
However, there is another payment available for people who develop issues past state pension age – Attendance Allowance.
What happens if you reach state pension age and have never claimed PIP?
If you reach state pension age but have never received PIP payments you could still be able to claim.
If you develop the need for additional cash in order to remain independent in your own home after passing the state pension age you could be eligible for Attendance Allowance.
Stats from the DWP show that as of February 2021, 1,392,093 people in the UK were claiming the benefit which could help bring in an extra £358.40 each month.
60% of Attendance Allowance claimants who received payment were aged 80 and over.
The DWP reports that the most common umbrella conditions that made people eligible for the payments were arthritis at 30%, and dementia at 8%.
54,428 people were also receiving regular financial payments for things like back, muscle and joint pain.
While back pain can pack in after a few weeks, it is common for it to last months or keep on returning.
Lumbago, which is often felt as a pain in the lower back although it can be anywhere along the spine from the hips all the way up to the neck, is particularly common.
If you are living with this condition it could make you eligible for DWP Attendance Allowance.
Many people who are eligible, however, don’t know that they could claim.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a payment to help people with severe illness that makes looking after yourself hard or a disability - you don’t need to have care in order to make a claim.
How much will you get?
The amount you get paid depends on the amount of help you need - there are two different rates. The government says: “It’s paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.
“You could get £60 or £89.60 a week to help with personal support if you’re both:
- physically or mentally disabled
- State Pension age or older
“It does not cover mobility needs.”
The allowance isn’t means-tested - people who receive the lower rate of £60 require: “Frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night”.
Meanwhile, whose eligible for the higher rate of £89.60 are described as needing the following support: “Help or supervision throughout both day and night, or you’re terminally ill.”
All benefits are paid into your bank account, building society or credit union and payments are made every four weeks.
Can you claim Attendance Allowance if you have savings and other incomes?
In short yes, you can still claim Attendance Allowance even if you have other forms of income or capital. It isn’t means-tested and is not limited by how much money you have. It is also tax-free and exempt from the Benefits Cap.
The Manchester Evening News add that other benefits might increase if you claim Attendance Allowance.
These could include:
- Extra Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit Reduction
- Council Tax Reduction
Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?
People who already receive PIP or DLA will not be able to claim Attendance Allowance.
The application for the allowance is long although help is available via Citizen's Advice either in person or online. The application can be found here.
