Millions of pensioners urged to claim disability benefits worth thousands of pounds | Personal Finance | Finance
Millions of Britons are not claiming disability benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and pensioners are the most affected age group. That’s according to Age UK who say now is the time to conduct a benefits check.
Already 2022 has been labelled as the ‘year of the squeeze’ as family budgets feel the pinch due to rising inflation, yet stagnating pay packets.
Nearly three and a half (3.4) million British pensioners are missing out on Attendance Allowance which could see them take home an extra £3,515 per year.
Add to that thousands more who are estimated to be missing out on Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance and it’s clear to see why some people are struggling.
In total, £15billion is wasted in unclaimed benefits every year and a significant part of this is due to unclaimed disability benefits.
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Who should apply for Attendance Allowance?
- Pensioners who have reached State Pension age and have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both
- The disability is severe enough for them to need help caring for themselves or someone to supervise them, for their own or someone else’s safety
- Must have needed that help for at least six months (unless they are terminally ill).
While lack of awareness is one reason that people don’t claim disability benefits, some don’t apply because they are put off by what they claim is an over-complicated process.
However, people can ask Age UK and Citizens Advice for help with filling out the forms if they are finding the process difficult.
To check eligibility for all DWP benefits, people can go to Gov.uk where there is a handy benefits calculator.
Decisions on PIP eligibility can take up to five months so it’s advisable to apply right away.
