Attendance Allowance: Common mistakes could cost you £4660 – how to avoid | Personal Finance | Finance
Nearly three and a half (3.4) million pensioners are not receiving attendance allowance which could be worth £4660 a year or £388 a month. Others are making simple mistakes that could cost them a fortune.
As the cost of living hits a 30 year high, people are being reminded to check that they are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to.
Government benefits like Attendance Allowance could make a huge difference to someone’s life and help them pay for things like rising energy bills.
However, Britons are making some simple mistakes when it comes to claiming this benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Those who are submitting a claim are missing out important information that could mean their application is rejected.
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When it comes to qualifying for Attendance Allowance, eligibility assessments aren’t usually requested like they are for Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
However, people will have to fill out an AA1 form, which contains a number of personal questions.
Questions 27 to 43 are focused on a person’s care needs and it’s important to mention here the impact of one’s disability or illness.
More than half (58 percent) of new Attendance Allowance claims are rejected by the DWP.
Before sending the form to DWP, people must also attach any supporting information including GP letters, their care plan or prescription lists.
Attendance Allowance is not means-tested and can be paid regardless of a person’s income, savings or National Insurance contribution record.
Just because someone has been refused before doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t reapply.
More than £15billion is unclaimed in benefits like Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payments and Universal Credit every year.
What other benefits could I be entitled to?
As well as qualifying for Attendance Allowance, people could also be entitled to Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or a Council Tax reduction.
Individuals will not be eligible for Attendance Allowance if they already get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
Most people who suffer with a mental health condition or physical disability will be entitled to PIP which is replacing the DLA for many UK residents over 16 and could amount to £608 a month.
