Attendance Allowance claimants could miss out on £269 top-up due to Carer’s Allowance rule | Personal Finance | Finance
Recently, the UK Government published a new guidance for those looking for more information regarding the DWP benefit. This latest update explains how Attendance Allowance is affected by other benefits, specifically Carer’s Allowance. To claim this financial support, claimants need to be at least of the stage pension age and either physically or mentally handicapped.
Attendance Allowance is designed to assist people with the extra costs that come from having their disability if they need someone to look after them, like an unpaid carer.
It is made up of two different payment rates with recipients getting awarded a certain amount depending on the level of care that is required.
Claimants could either get £60 or £89.60 a week to help with their care but this money does not need to go towards an unpaid carer.
On top of this, those who get Attendance Allowance may be able to get an extra Pension Credit or Housing Benefit top-up.
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For those who are severely disabled and receive Attendance Allowance, the DWP will give them an extra £67.30 a week.
In a four-week month, this is the equivalent of £269.20.
However, if the Attendance Allowance claimant has an unpaid carer who gets Carer’s Allowance, they may lose this financial boost.
In its new guidance, the DWP elaborated on how this Carer’s Allowance prevents Attendance Allowance claimants from getting this top-up.
DON’T MISS:
“Your Attendance Allowance will not be affected.”
For unpaid carers looking to claim Carer’s Allowance, the DWP reminds them that they must put forward their application for the benefit within three months of the initial Attendance Allowance decision of the person they are looking after.
It should be noted that accessing certain benefits or pensions could affect the amount of money someone receives from Carer’s Allowance.
As a result of this, unpaid carers who would otherwise be eligible for the benefit would receive no extra money.
On this issue, the updated DWP guidance added: “But you may still qualify for Carer’s Allowance even if we cannot pay it.
“This means you may get an extra amount paid with income-based Jobseekers Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit.”
Currently, those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance get £67.60 a week if they look after someone for at least 35 hours a week
Any unpaid carers should contact their local DWP office or Jobcentre for further guidance on what support they are eligible for.
