A new National Audit Office (NAO) report has found that the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) as under-paid a key benefit by a massive 4.3% - that's equivalent to around £230m.
According to the Daily Record, the report found a 4.3% underpayment rate in Attendance Allowance. And while though it also found that there is also an overpayment rate of 2.2% - around £120m - .this means thousands of older people will be owed cash by the Government. The NAO report said the watchdog's estimates suggest that Attendance Allowance has the lowest rate of overpayment, but the highest rate of underpayment of all benefits tested this year excluding the State Pension.
That's according to the NAO's annual Fraud and Error exercise for 2021-22.
Read more: Calls are growing for DWP to halt Covid Universal Credit clawback
It is the first time Attendance Allowance has been measured and for the 1,406,431 older people across the UK - including 123,909 living in Scotland - claiming the support worth either £61.85 or £92.40 each week, the news should be a reminder of the importance of making sure they are receiving the right award.
The figures could mean as many as 60,476 pensioners have been missing out on around £3,803 each. The NAO report said that almost all the underpayment of Attendance Allowance is classified as claimant error.
In previous years the DWP has used Disability Living Allowance (DLA) as a proxy rate for Attendance Allowance. DLA has an overpayment rate of 1.9% and an underpayment rate of 2.5%, which means that until this year the DWP is likely to have underestimated the gross fraud and error rate in Attendance Allowance.
If you think you may have been underpaid you should contact the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 for more information.
Fraud and Error review
This year the DWP has measured fraud and error in:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension - including fraud and claimant error for the first time since 2005-06
- Housing Benefit
- Employment Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Attendance Allowance - for the first time ever
Attendance Allowance provides financial support for people over State Pension age through extra daily living expenses and can help them stay independent in their own home. Thousands of older people could be entitled to this, but may not know enough about it to make a claim.
Here is everything you need to know about the benefit, including the 57 main disabling condition categories which the DWP describes as the "main medical reason for the claim".
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes it hard for you to look after yourself - it does not cover mobility needs. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim.
Who can claim?
People can apply for for Attendance Allowance if they have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night. You do not need to be currently getting that support to be eligible.
This might include:
-
Help with your personal care - such as dressing, bathing or eating and drinking
-
Help to stay safe
You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn’t just for people with a physical disability or illness.
You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:
-
a mental health condition
-
learning difficulties
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a sensory condition - if you are deaf or visually impaired
Attendance Allowance main disabling conditions
Medical conditions are sourced from information recorded on the DWP’s Attendance Allowance computer system.
The DWP says that where more than one condition is present the main disabling condition is reported on.
It’s important to note that this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported. However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance on the GOV.UK website here.
57 categories providing Attendance Allowance support
- 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
- Unknown
How much could I get on Attendance Allowance?
You could receive £61.85 if you need help during the day or at night or £92.40 if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks - so equals either £247.40 or £369.60 each time.
You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer.
This might include:
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paying for taxis
-
helping towards bills
-
paying for a cleaner or gardener
Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income?
Attendance Allowance is not means tested and is tax-free. This means you can receive it regardless of your savings or income, and regardless of other benefits you may receive.
Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension?
No, it won't affect your State Pension. It can also be claimed even if you're still working and earning money.
How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, these include:
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Extra Pension Credit
-
Housing Benefit Reduction
-
Council Tax Reduction
How do I make a claim?
You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. It might seem daunting at first but help is available from your nearest Citizens Advice, so don't let the form put you off applying.
If you'd prefer to do it yourself you can follow the Citizens Advice guide on how to fill in your claim form here. Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age?
If you are thinking about applying for Attendance Allowance when you reach State Pension age, you might be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away - you may be able to get more money. If you claim PIP and get it, the amount you receive will depend on your circumstances and how your disability or illness affects you.
Find out more about claiming PIP here.
Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?
You won't be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or DLA to pay for your care. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while getting DLA, the DWP will usually reassess your DLA award instead.
You can renew your PIP or DLA when the existing award ends as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead. Find out more about Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.
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