Older people claiming Attendance Allowance may be able to boost monthly payments by £143

03/07/2024

You may be eligible for more monthly payments

The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of November last year, there were nearly 1.6 million people across Great Britain receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit delivered by the DWP, designed to help older people with daily living expenses which could help them stay independent in their own home for longer. However, for some people - whose condition may have worsened or they have developed further health issues since their award began - it may be necessary to contact the DWP to report a change of circumstances.

This is something that shouldn't be put off as reporting a change in your condition could lead to higher payments for those currently on the standard rate. It's important to be aware that DWP guidance states that if your circumstances change, the amount you get from Attendance Allowance may go up or down, , reports the Daily Record.

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.

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 for a disability or illness. 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

You should also consider reporting a change if you are experiencing more difficulties completing 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. But remember, Attendance Allowance is not just for people with a physical disability or illness.

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.

The most common condition claimed on Attendance Allowance is arthritis (29%) with some 416,313 people receiving support for it. However, there are more than 50 conditions being supported by Attendance Allowance and even if you're already claiming for one of these, another may have developed or your current condition may have become more debilitating.

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 could receive £72.65 if you need help during the day or at night or £108.55 if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks which means you could receive either £290.60 or £434.20 every pay 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:

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?

Yes. Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested so it doesn't matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings either - there's no limit. it is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won't have money taken away from any other benefits.