The DWP has clarified how the process works for applying for Attendance Allowance after an MP asked if the current claim form is accessible.
SNP MP Drew Hendry asked the Government if there had been any recent assessment of “the adequacy of the accessibility of Attendance Allowance claim forms”.
Pensions minister Paul Maynard provided a response to say the DWP is continuously reviewing how it can improve the service for those applying for the benefit, to ensure it is “accessible and responsive to citizen needs”.
He added: “The Attendance Allowance claim form and accompanying notes are accessible and work on PC and MAC operating systems.
“They comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1AA and are compatible with assistive software.”
Attendance Allowance provides payments of either £68.10 or £101.75 a week to those of state pension age who have a physical or mental disability.
A claimant needs to have a condition severe enough that they need someone’s help to look after them, but they do not have to have carer to get the support.
Claimants can also get extra payments if they claim Pension Credit and the benefit also provides access to Housing Benefit and a council tax reduction.
The claim form for Attendance Allowance is available to download from the Government website here.
Applicants have to include details of their illness or disability, including how long it has affected them and what medicines they take.
There is also a section to provide details of any aids or adaptations a person uses, such as a stairlift, and to explain how these help in living with the condition.
There are further questions about if you have difficulty getting out of bed and if you need help with moving around.
Benefits payments are increasing 6.7 percent in April, with the lower rate for Attendance Allowance going up to £72.65 while the higher rate will be £108.55 a week, or £5,291 over the course of a year.
State pension payments are also increasing 8.5 percent in April in line with the triple lock, meaning the full new state pension will rise to £221.20 a week.
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