State pensioners have been warned against paying more than £1,000 for help with a benefit claim when free support is available. Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people who have reached State Pension age and have a disability or health condition severe enough that they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe.
Free help urged before paying firms
Money support experts say some older people may feel pressured into paying claims management firms because they are worried about filling out complicated forms incorrectly. Rebecca Lamb, from financial support group Money Wellness, said people should not feel they have to pay hundreds of pounds simply to get help accessing support they may be entitled to.
“It’s easy to see why someone might pay for help with a benefit claim,” she said. “If you’re faced with a complicated form, not sure what information you need to provide, or you’re worried about getting it wrong, paying someone to take that worry away can feel like the easiest option.”
However, she urged pensioners to check the free help available before handing over money. “People shouldn’t feel they have to pay hundreds of pounds to get help accessing support they think they’re entitled to,” Ms Lamb said.
What Attendance Allowance pays
The warning follows reports that some people have paid more than £1,000 for assistance with Attendance Allowance applications. Attendance Allowance is available to people who have reached State Pension age and have a physical or mental disability or health condition that means they need help caring for themselves or supervision to stay safe. The benefit is not means-tested, meaning a person’s income or savings do not affect whether they can receive it.
Attendance Allowance is currently paid at two weekly rates. The lower rate is £76.70 a week, while the higher rate is £114.60 a week. Someone receiving the higher rate for a full year would receive £5,959.20.
The higher rate is available where a person needs help or supervision throughout both the day and night, or where a medical professional has confirmed they are nearing the end of their life. The lower rate applies where someone needs frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night. To qualify, a person normally needs to have required help or supervision for at least six months.
DWP warning and free support options
The State Pension age is currently rising from 66 to 67, with the change being phased in between April 2026 and April 2028. Experts are urging pensioners who think they may qualify to check their entitlement before paying a claims management company.
The Department for Work and Pensions has warned people to think carefully before using companies that charge a fee for help with benefit claims. A DWP spokesperson said: “DWP is aware of the proliferation of claims management companies who charge a fee and would advise claimants to think very carefully before using such services. Free help, support, and advice on claiming Attendance Allowance is widely available, including on gov.uk, from DWP, and organisations such as Independent Age. There is no need for claimants to pay for advice and support.”
Free assistance is available to people unsure how to complete their claim. The Attendance Allowance helpline can be contacted on 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm. Citizens Advice can also help people understand the application process, including taking them through the form or checking a completed application.
Ms Lamb said: “The important thing is that people don’t miss out because they find the process difficult. Getting help with a claim is absolutely fine, but people shouldn’t have to pay for that help without knowing that free support is available too.”
For pensioners who believe they could qualify, checking the rules and seeking free advice could help them avoid paying hundreds, or even more than £1,000, for assistance that is available at no cost.
