Martin Lewis has called on pensioners to check if they qualify for Attendance Allowance, a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit worth up to £5,959.20 annually, which he says is being "underclaimed" by hundreds of thousands of eligible people. The benefit, designed for those aged 66 and over with disabilities or serious health conditions needing regular support, is not means-tested and can be spent however the claimant chooses.
Attendance Allowance rates and eligibility
The benefit is paid at two weekly rates: a lower rate of £76.70 (or £3,988.40 per year) for those needing frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night; and a higher rate of £114.60 (or £5,959.20 per year) for those needing help or supervision both day and night, or who are terminally ill. According to the DWP, anyone meeting the eligibility criteria receives it regardless of income or savings.
In a Money Saving Expert newsletter, Lewis said: "For many older people who are ill or start to face mental or physical disability, life doesn't just get tougher, it gets costlier too. Add to that the fact people's conditions can make it more difficult to spend the time and energy needed to research possible help. That's why 18 months ago we launched our Attendance Allowance (AA) guide and awareness campaign, and successes have flooded in since. Yet it still remains massively underclaimed, with potentially a million eligible pensioners missing out."
Underclaiming statistics and impact
Lewis stressed that approximately 1.1 million eligible pensioners are failing to claim the support, according to figures from Policy in Practice. He advised that even the lower rate amounts to £3,777.80 per year and urged people to submit a claim even if they anticipate only the lower rate. During his podcast, he said: "If you think you're entitled to attendance allowance, you should push through. This is for disabled or ill state pensioners. It could be you, or it could be someone you know."
Conditions that may qualify
A broad range of everyday health conditions could make people eligible, including arthritis, visual impairments, heart conditions, Parkinson's disease, and respiratory problems such as asthma. The DWP confirms that while the benefit is intended to help with care expenses, claimants have full discretion over how they use the funds.
How to apply
To be eligible, applicants must have reached state pension age (currently 66). Claims can be made regardless of whether individuals are collecting state pension, have savings, or continue working. Applicants must have a physical ailment, mental health issue, or illness serious enough to necessitate assistance for their own welfare or that of others, with this care requirement having existed for at least six months. Claimants must also be residing in Great Britain and have been in the country for at least two of the previous three years.
The application process can be complex, but support is available through organisations such as Citizens Advice and Age UK, which provide assistance throughout the procedure and with digital submissions. Decisions are typically made by DWP personnel based on the details supplied in the application form, so it is essential to provide all pertinent information, including national insurance number, NHS number, and any prescription or hospital documentation. Most claimants will not need a face-to-face assessment, although this remains possible. The DWP confirms that if there is any doubt about how a disability or health condition affects the applicant, a healthcare professional will carry out an examination.
It is important to note that you cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you are already receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
