Have you heard of this unknown and mostly unclaimed allowance?
People over 66 can claim for this non-means tested allowance on a wide range of health issues. This applies regardless of your income or savings!
This guide explores what Attendance Allowance is, how to claim, and who is eligible.
(Read Time: Approx. 3 minutes)
Topics Discussed:
- How you can claim this mostly unheard-of benefit, which could net you up to £441 per month
- Where to find the application form, and how to fill it in and submit it.
Exploring Eligibility and Financial Benefits of Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance, a critical yet often under-claimed benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is designed to support individuals over the State Pension age of 66 who require assistance due to illness or disability.
Notably, this benefit doesn’t consider your income or savings, focusing purely on the support needed.
The financial implications are significant, with up to £441 available monthly, depending on the severity of your situation.
For the 2023/24 period, the rates are set at £101.75 per week for more severe cases and £68.10 for others.
Statistics from late 2022 show that only 1.4 million elderly individuals benefit from this support, highlighting its low impact.
Eligibility for Attendance Allowance doesn’t depend on specific medical conditions; rather, it’s based on the level of care and support required.
The DWP recognises 56 common health conditions and disabilities for Attendance Allowance, including:
- Arthritis
- Spondylosis
- Back Pain (Other/Precise Diagnosis not Specified)
- Diseases of Muscles, Bones, or Joints
- Trauma to Limbs
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Heart Disease
- Chest Disease
- Asthma
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Epilepsy
- Neurological Diseases (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Motor Neurone Disease)
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Metabolic Disease
- Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Major Trauma (Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia)
- Learning Difficulties
- Psychosis
- Psychoneurosis
- Personality Disorder
- Dementia
- Behavioural Disorder
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Hyperkinetic Syndrome
- Renal Disorders
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Bowel and Stomach Disease
- Blood Disorders
- Haemophilia
- Multi-System Disorders
- Multiple Allergy Syndrome
- Skin Disease
- Malignant Disease
- Severe Mental Impairment
- Double Amputee
- Deaf/Blind
- Haemodialysis
- Frailty
- Total Parenteral Nutrition
- AIDS
- Infectious Diseases (including COVID-19 and Tuberculosis)
- Cognitive Disorders
- Terminal Illness
When looking at someone’s eligibility, DWP considers if the condition impedes their ability to manage daily tasks independently.
Navigating the Application Process for Timely Support
The application process for Attendance Allowance is designed to be accessible yet thorough.
The DWP recognises a broad spectrum of 56 health conditions, from arthritis and heart disease to neurological disorders and terminal illnesses.
For terminally ill individuals, the process is expedited, with decisions usually made within two weeks.
It’s important to understand that if you’re already receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component, you won’t qualify for Attendance Allowance.
However, claiming this benefit does not impact other benefits you may be receiving.
To apply, you’ll need to fill out an Attendance Allowance form, accessible via a helpline or the Government’s website.
The form requires detailed information about your health condition and the assistance required, making thorough preparation essential.
All the necessary information on the form is included on the gov.uk’s website, and it includes a helpline to call should you need any assistance.
Final Thoughts
Attendance Allowance represents a significant financial lifeline for seniors facing health challenges.
Its impact extends beyond monetary assistance, ensuring dignity and comfort in later life.
If you or someone you know may be eligible, exploring this avenue of support could provide much-needed financial relief and peace of mind.
Contact us today at 01772 788200 to find out more about how we can help, or WhatsApp us out-of-hours at 07787 010190.
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Kind regards,
Ilyas Patel