Martin Lewis is urging over one million pensioners with a health condition or disability to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by phone to start their claim for Attendance Allowance as it could result in back payments of the non-means tested benefit. During the latest Martin Lewis Money Show Live, the consumer champion warned older people making a new claim online will only receive payments from the date it was submitted.
However, by calling the DWP and asking for an application form, successful claimants will receive Attendance Allowance payments from that date. The financial guru explained how application forms requested over the phone need to be completed and returned to the DWP within six weeks or back payments might not be issued.
Martin told ITV viewers: “Attendance Allowance is not means tested they (DWP) do not look at your means or how much money you’ve got - you are entitled to it or you’re not entitled to it regardless of finances. It is for those who need help with daily living who have mental or physical health conditions.
“If you need help during the day, or at night, but not both, it’s the lower rate of £73 a week - just under £4,000 a year. If you need help during the day and at night that’s the higher rate of £109 a week - just under £6,000 a year.”
The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE.com) also explained that to be eligible for Attendance Allowance you must have “needed help for six consecutive months”.
He continued: “This is crucially important. You must’ve needed help, not you must’ve got help. There are many people out there who need help and haven’t got help which is why Attendance Allowance is there.”
Martin also explained the logic behind calling the DWP to ask for an application form to be sent out rather than doing it online.
He said: “The way I would apply for this is to call up and request a form, I would not do it online because if you call them that date is noted and then when your application goes in it will be back paid to the date that you called.
“If you do it online then it’s the point that you submit, which is clearly a later point because you got quite a lot of work to do to get it. Now there is a case that if you take a long time after calling up - more than six weeks to submit your form - then they don’t have to backpay because you’ve taken too long to do your form and therefore you can’t do it as a retrospective.”
He added: “I generally suggest you call rather than go online.”
The DWP number to call is 0800 731 0122. Martin also covered Attendance Allowance in the latest edition of the MSE newsletter here.
Attendance Allowance in a nutshell
The latest figures from the DWP show at the end of February 2024, over 1.6m people over State Pension age were receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance, including nearly 144,000 living in Scotland.
It's important to be aware that if you live in Argyll and Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney or Shetland, you cannot make a new claim for Attendance Allowance. You can now claim the new devolved benefit - Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) - from Social Security Scotland.
PADP will replace Attendance Allowance for new and existing claimants living in Scotland only, by the end of 2025. Find out more here.
How much someone receives for Attendance Allowance or PADP depends on the level of support needed and the benefit is designed to help people of State Pension age with daily living expenses which can also help them stay independent in their own home for longer.
It’s important to be aware there is no mobility component attached to Attendance Allowance or PADP.
Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance and PADP
The conditions listed below are sourced from information recorded on the DWP’s Attendance Allowance computer system. PADP also supports people with these conditions.
However, it’s important to note this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance or PADP, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported. However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance for Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.
Main health conditions providing support to older people across Great Britain
- Arthritis
- Spondylosis
- Back Pain
- Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
- Trauma to Limbs
- Visual Disorders and Diseases
- Hearing Disorders
- Heart Disease
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases
- Asthma
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Peripheral vascular Disease
- Epilepsy
- Neurological Diseases
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinsons Disease
- 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
- Infectious diseases: Viral disease - Coronavirus covid-19
The guide below focuses on Attendance Allowance, but also applies to PADP. Full details about PADP can be fond on mygov.scot here.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes it hard for you to look after yourself - it does not cover mobility needs. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim.
Who can claim?
You should apply 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 don’t 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
You should also apply 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. Attendance Allowance isn’t just for people with a physical disability or illness.
You should also claim 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 visually impaired
How much could I get on Attendance Allowance?
PADP is paid at the same rate as Attendance Allowance. You could 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.
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.
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 Citizens Advice and Independent Age.
Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
How to claim PADP
You can apply online, over the phone, or by post for PADP. Full details can be found here.
What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age?
If you are thinking about applying for Attendance Allowance when you reach State Pension age, you might be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away - you may be able to get more money.
If you live in Scotland, you should apply for Adult Disability Payment - find out more here.
Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?
You won't be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (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 can renew your PIP or DLA when the existing award ends as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
Find out more about Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.
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