Martin Lewis gives details on claiming attendance allowance
Older people claiming Attendance Allowance are set for a significant income boost from next week.
The benefit, which helps support the extra daily living costs of having a physical or mental health condition, disability or long-term illness, will rise by 6.7 percent.
Currently some 1.5m older people claim it, however many people miss out because they are unaware that they are eligible.
On top of the rise in Attendance Allowance, older people are also about to benefit from an 8.5 percent rise in both the New and Basic State Pensions as part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) annual uprating.
While Attendance Allowance and the State Pension are paid separately, the combined uprating means that someone in receipt of the full New State Pension and the higher rate of Attendance Allowance will be due £1,319 every four weeks.
Someone in receipt of the maximum Basic State Pension is set to receive £169.50 per week from April. (Image: Getty)
Pension and the higher rate of Attendance Allowance will be due £1,319 every four weeks.
Similarly, someone in receipt of the maximum Basic State Pension is set to receive £169.50 per week from April. Coupled with the higher rate of Attendance Allowance, this gives a total of £1,112 every four weeks.
Significantly, both the State Pensions and Attendance Allowance are paid every four weeks, providing a total of 13 payments over the course of the financial year, Daily Record reports.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance currently helps more than 1.5 million older people across Great Britain with the extra daily living costs of having a physical or mental health condition, disability or long-term illness.
Many more people could be entitled to the benefit but may not know enough about it to make a claim.
Who can make a claim?
You should consider applying for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night – even if you do not currently get that help.
This might 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
* Consider applying 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
You should also consider claiming if you need 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
How much could I get on Attendance Allowance?
You could get either £68.10 or £101.75 a week depending on the level of care you need because of your condition, which is paid every four weeks and works out at £272.40 and £407 respectively.
Payments will rise to £72.65 for the lower rate and £108.55 for the higher rate from April 8 as part of the DWP‘s annual benefits uprating.
You should consider applying for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness. (Image: Getty)
How can you spend the allowance?
You can spend the money however you like on the basis 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 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’s tax-free and you’ll be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won’t have money taken away from any other benefits.
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:
* 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 – Help with filling in the Attendance Allowance form – Citizens Advice
Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the Gov.uk website here – Attendance Allowance: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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 won’t be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or DLA. (Image: Getty)
Overview of the uprating on Attendance Allowance and State Pensions
Attendance Allowance uprating from April 2024
People over State Pension age claiming Attendance Allowance currently receive either £68.10 (lower rate) or £101.75 (higher rate) each week.
As the benefit is usually paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £272.40 or £407 every payment period – some £5,291 over the 2023/24 financial year.
The uprating of 6.7 per cent will see Attendance Allowance claimants receive either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) each week.
This amounts to either £290.60 or £434.20 every pay period – some £5,644.60 over the 2024/25 financial year.
Full New State Pension from April 2024
Weekly rate 2024/25: £221.20 (up from £203.85)
Four-week pay period: £884.80 (up from £815.40)
Full Basic State Pension from April 2024
Weekly rate 2024/25: £169.50 (up from ££156.20)
Four-week pay period: £678 (up from £624.80)
