The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it will pay up to £118.60 per week in Attendance Allowance from April, meaning eligible state pensioners can receive up to £6,167 a year regardless of their income or savings.
The benefit, which is not means-tested, is available to anyone who needs help with personal care due to an illness or disability. It is limited to people of state pension age.
Two weekly rates for different levels of need
There are two weekly rates. The lower rate has been increased by £2.70 a week to £79.40 per week, for those who need help during the day or at night. The higher rate has been increased by £4 to £118.60 per week, for those who need help during the day and night, or who are terminally ill.
According to Age UK, the money is given regardless of income or savings. Age UK states: "The money you receive isn't taxable or means-tested – so your savings or income won't affect your claim. Claiming also won't affect any other benefits you receive. In fact, it can help you get other benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or council tax reduction."
Who is eligible and how to claim
To claim, you must be of state pension age and have any type of disability or physical or mental illness. Age UK adds: "You have any type of disability or physical or mental illness, including sight or hearing impairments and conditions such as dementia. You could benefit from help with personal care, such as getting washed or dressed, or supervision to keep you safe during the day or night."
You must have needed help for at least six months, although this does not apply if you are terminally ill, in which case you can claim straight away.
Legal definition of help
On a previous series of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on ITV1, Martin Lewis explained that a legal precedent defines the kind of help likely to warrant claiming the benefit. He quoted a 1981 judge's definition: "This is help with bodily functions including breathing, hearing, seeing, eating, drinking, walking, sitting, sleeping, getting in or out of bed, dressing, undressing, eliminating waste products and the like. All of which an ordinary person who is not suffering from any disabilities does for himself."
Lewis listed four conditions likely to qualify, saying: "This is common for people with Parkinson's, or physical disabilities, dementia or terminal illness and more." He added: "You can apply on someone else's behalf as long as they are capable of understanding or you can sign it for them if you have Power of Attorney."
