More than one million pensioners may not be aware they’re eligible to claim the benefit.
Underclaimed DWP benefit set to rise to £5,700 a year in days – are you eligible? (Image: Getty)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Attendance Allowance benefit will rise again in a few days, and many may be unaware they qualify for it. Research published by Policy in Practice in December 2023 found as many as 1.1 million pensioners could be missing out on a staggering £5.2billion worth of the benefit.
It attributed some of the missing claims for Attendance Allowance to people not being aware it exists or how to apply for it. Zoe Charlesworth at Policy in Practice said: “Attendance Allowance is one of the most underclaimed benefits due to lack of awareness. Billions of pounds in unclaimed support is shocking at any time, let alone during a cost of living crisis.” However, at its highest rate, the benefit can boost a pensioner’s income by more than £5,000 a year, making it vital that people check if they can make a claim.
More than one million pensioners may not be aware they’re eligible to claim the benefit (Image: Getty)
Who is eligible for Attendance Allowance?
To claim Attendance Allowance, individuals must be over the state pension age (currently 66) and have a disability or illness that impacts their daily life. This can include conditions such as learning difficulties, sight or hearing impairments, mobility issues like arthritis, or mental health conditions such as dementia.
Applicants must show they need assistance with personal care tasks, such as washing, dressing, eating and drinking, or require supervision for safety, either during the day or night. They must also have needed help for at least six months. However, those who are terminally ill can claim the benefit immediately.
A formal diagnosis is not required to apply; as long as someone has experienced difficulties for six months due to their condition, they can claim.
However, it is important to note that individuals already receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), or the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are not eligible for Attendance Allowance.
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How much will Attendance Allowance increase in 2025?
In line with the 1.7% increase announced during Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Autumn Statement last October, new rates for the higher and lower rates from April 7 will be:
- Lower rate: £73.90 per week (up from £72.65)
- Higher rate: £110.40 per week (up from £108.55).
People who need help during the day or at night could be eligible for the lower rate, whereas people who need help both during the day and at night or have a terminal illness could be eligible for the higher rate.
The changes mean those entitled to the highest rate can receive around £478.40 per month, translating to around £5,740.80 per year.
The money doesn’t need to be spent on care – it can be put towards other things, such as household bills. It also isn’t a means-tested benefit, which means current savings or income won’t affect the claim, nor will it impact other benefits received.
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How to claim Attendance Allowance
To claim, people need to fill out an Attendance Allowance form, clearly outlining the help they do need, as well as the help they don’t.
To pick up a form, people can either call the helpline on 0800 731 0122 or download it from the Government website.
