Attendance Allowance – Pensioners could get £369 each month to help with rising costs | Personal Finance | Finance
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stated that the benefit is designed to help people with the additional costs that arise from having a long-term health condition. Medical conditions that could make someone eligible for Attendance Allowance include things such as arthritis, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or mental health issues such as dementia.
Attendance Allowance is a benefit issued by the DWP and is given to Britons over the state pension age, which is currently 66 years.
As inflation soars and average energy bills 27 percent higher, pensioners are reminded to claim all benefits that they are entitled to.
As one of the most vulnerable groups during this economic downturn, Attendance Allowance could provide a sizeable monthly boost for pensioners which they can put towards day to day necessities.
How much money someone gets from Attendance Allowance is dependent on the “severity” of their condition, according to the DWP.
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Attendance Allowance is paid at two different rates, one higher and the other lower, which are awarded depending on how the DWP sees fit.
The higher amount is worth £92.40 a week and the lower amount is £61.85 a week for those who qualify.
Overall, a person could get a maximum of £247.40 or £369.60 every month.Over the course of the year, a person could potentially receive an income boost worth £4,428.
Furthermore, pensioners could also be eligible for additional support through benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.
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However, people do not need to have a full-time carer to be able to make a claim.
People who are terminally ill are automatically eligible to receive Attendance Allowance, at the higher rate.
Those looking to apply for Attendance Allowance can download a claim form through the GOV.UK website.
According to official figures, around 3.4 million people who have reached the state pension age are thought to be eligible for Attendance Allowance but aren’t claiming it.
Recently, the Government has been actively promoting the various disability benefits which are on offer to the public, including pensioners.
Chloe Smith, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, previously discussed the impact payments like Attendance Allowance have.
Ms Smith said: “Living with a long-term illness or disability can have a profound effect on daily life, both for those with a diagnosis and those who care for them, so it’s vitally important you are receiving all the help you are entitled to.
“Millions of people already receive this support and I would urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible for extra financial help to check online.”
