Attendance Allowance rates set to increase in April – check how much more you can get | Personal Finance | Finance

State pension and other benefits delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) will also increase by 3.1 percent. Once the proposed payment rate changes come into effect on April 11, 2022, Attendance Allowance will rise to £92.40 for those on a higher rate and £61.85 for anyone receiving a lower rate.

The benefit currently offers £89.60 for those on a higher rate and £60 for anyone receiving a lower rate.

Attendance Allowance is a benefit that helps with the extra costs of long-term illness or disability which can be either physical and/or mental.

A person’s disability must be severe enough for them to be unable to care for themselves.

It is only for people who have reached state pension age. 

Anyone who needs help or supervision throughout both day and night receives the higher rate of £89.60.

People who are terminally ill also receive a higher rate of Attendance Allowance.

It is paid directly into a person’s bank or building society account.

It can also be paid through a Payment Exception Service for those who are unable to open or manage a bank account.

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Attendance Allowance is not means-tested.

This means that it can be paid regardless of a person’s income, savings or National Insurance contribution record.

The payment is critical for those who require frequent help or supervision during the day or at night.

They must be in need of this help for at least six months (unless they’re terminally ill).

If a person is not receiving care and lives alone, they do not qualify for Attendance Allowance.

In addition, a person must be in Britain when they make a claim.

The exception to this is if a person is a member of the armed forces or has a family member in this field.

It is also important to inform the DWP if a person goes into hospital for more than 28 days as this will affect eligibility.

A person who has not been living in Britain for at least two of the last three years (this does not apply if they’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status) cannot apply for Attendance Allowance.

They need to be habitual resident of the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands and must not be subject to immigration control (unless they’re a sponsored immigrant).

Anyone who is looking after an individual that receives Attendance Allowance, may be eligible to claim Carer’s Allowance.

Attendance Allowance can also increase the amount of other benefits or credits a person receives. For example, they may get extra Housing Benefit (England, Scotland, Wales), Housing Benefit (Northern Ireland) or Pension Credit.