State pensioners can receive an extra £218 a year added to Attendance Allowance, a benefit paid on top of the state pension by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The benefit is currently worth up to £114.60 per week, or nearly £6,000 a year, after being increased by roughly £4 per week from April.
Who can claim Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is available to anyone of state pension age who needs help with personal care due to an illness or disability. There are two weekly rates, and the amount paid depends on the level of help needed day to day.
The lower rate pays £76.70 per week for those who need help during the day or at night. The higher rate pays £114.60 per week for those who need help during both the day and night, or who are terminally ill.
Not means-tested or taxable
According to Age UK, the money is paid regardless of income or savings. The charity 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."
To claim, a person 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."
Eligibility conditions and how to apply
Applicants must have needed help for at least six months, unless they are terminally ill, in which case a claim can be made straight away. On a previous series of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on ITV1, Martin Lewis explained that a legal precedent set in 1981 defines the kind of help that warrants claiming the benefit.
Lewis said: "What defines help? Well the first one is help with daily living, and a famous old judge… in 1981 defined this and it still fits for today. 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."
He added that the benefit is common for people with Parkinson's, physical disabilities, dementia or terminal illness, and noted: "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."
