Martin Lewis is urging British pensioners to check whether they are eligible for a benefit worth around £4,000 a year. The Money Saving Expert says around 1.1 million people could be missing out on the non-means-tested support.
Attendance Allowance is largely unclaimed due to a number of factors, including misconceptions about eligibility rules and a complex application process. Many pensioners assume that having a decent pension or owning their own home disqualifies them from the benefit but this is not the case as it is entirely non-means-tested. The application form is also long and requires a detailed breakdown of a person's daily struggles while estimates show that around 58% of claims are rejected.
What Martin Lewis said
As reported by Wales Online, Mr Lewis said: "So 1.1 million people potentially in the UK—State Pensioners, you have to be of state pension age—are missing out on Attendance Allowance. Now, that 1.1 million number is one from myself and my team, and Policy in Practice have worked out it is not a government figure.
"Now, this is a payment that helps you if you need help—it’s to give you extra money if you need help and support. Crucially, it isn’t means-tested, so they don’t look at how much money you have. It’s pretty binary: you either qualify for it or you don’t qualify for it."
However, he added: "I should say, if you’re entitled to PIP (Personal Independence Payment) or Disability Living Allowance, you can’t get both, and they tend to be better for you, so you wouldn’t want it.
"Now, to qualify for this, you need to have supervision for six months. So help or supervision for six months, I should say. Help means help with daily living; supervision means avoiding dangers to yourself. Now, the daily living one, just to give people what this is all about: what does help mean? You don’t actually have to be getting the help, you just need to need help."
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance, which is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions, is designed to help state pensioners with personal care or supervision due to a long-term physical or mental illness, or disability.
You must have needed help or supervision for at least six consecutive months. However, this period is bypassed if a medical professional has confirmed you are nearing the end of life (with a life expectancy of 12 months or less).
The DWP says eligibility is evaluated based on the care you need rather than the care you actually receive. You can still qualify if you live alone and do not have a carer.
It is also worth noting that your personal income, savings or assets do not impact your eligibility or the amount you receive. Meanwhile, claimants are allowed to spend the benefit on anything that makes their life easier, including bills, shopping, home care and taxi fares.
The Attendance Allowance also boosts eligibility for other payments such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction.
How much is it worth?
The benefit is split into two weekly rates:
- Lower rate: £76.70 per week (£3,988.40 per year) – for individuals who require frequent help or constant supervision during the day or supervision at night.
- Higher rate: £114.60 per week (£5,959.20 per year) – for individuals who require help or supervision throughout both day and night, or are nearing the end of life.
