Recent data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) indicates that as of the end of November last year, nearly 1.6 million individuals in Great Britain were receiving extra financial aid via Attendance Allowance.
This tax-free benefit, provided by the DWP, aims to assist older adults with daily living costs, potentially enabling them to remain self-sufficient in their homes for an extended period. However, for recipients whose health has deteriorated or who have encountered new medical issues since their initial award, contacting the DWP to report a change in circumstances is essential.
Delaying this update could prevent access to increased payments for those currently receiving the standard rate. It is crucial to note that according to DWP policy, changes in your situation may result in an adjustment to your Attendance Allowance, either increasing or decreasing the amount.
If you are currently on the lower rate of £72.65 per week, your payments could increase by £35.90 to the higher rate of £108.55. This would see four-weekly payments increase from £290.60 to £434.20 – some £143.60 every pay period, reports the Daily Record.
The guidance also lists several reasons for contacting them about a change in your circumstances if you are claiming Attendance Allowance. This includes:
- the level of help you need or your condition changes – you’ll need to provide details like if the amount 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 for, 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 4 weeks
- you go into prison
- you change your name, address or bank details
- you want to stop receiving your benefit
- your doctor’s details change
- your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen
Reporting a change if you need more help
You should consider contacting the DWP to report a change if you feel you need more help. This could be additional help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night – even if you do not currently get that help.
This could include:
-
Help with your personal care – for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet
-
Help to stay safe
It’s also important to report any changes if you find personal tasks increasingly challenging, such as if they take longer to complete, cause pain, or require physical assistance, like needing a chair for support. However, it’s worth noting that Attendance Allowance isn’t solely for those with physical disabilities or illnesses.
You should also consider reporting a change if you need more help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:
- a mental health condition
- learning difficulties
- a sensory condition – if you are deaf or blind
You can contact the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. Full details about reporting a change can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
Arthritis is the most frequently claimed condition for Attendance Allowance, accounting for 29% of claims with 416,313 individuals receiving support. Attendance Allowance supports over 50 conditions, and it’s possible to claim for multiple conditions if another develops or if an existing condition worsens.
Health issues supported by Attendance Allowance
Support is also provided for People who are terminally ill.
- 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
- 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
- Terminally ill
How much could I get on Attendance Allowance?
You may be eligible to receive £72.65 if you require assistance either during the day or at night, and £108.55 if you need help both during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. This benefit is paid every four weeks, amounting to either £290.60 or £434.20 per payment period.
You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer. This might include:
Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income?
Yes, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, which means your other income or savings do not affect your eligibility – there is no upper limit. Additionally, it is tax-free and exempt from the Benefit Cap, ensuring that it does not reduce any other benefits you may receive.
Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension?
No, it won’t affect your State Pension and you can even claim it 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:
Full guidance on Attendance Allowance can be found on GOV.UK here.
