Attendance Allowance for State Pension age claimants, Digi Mart USA News (United Kingdom): The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show more than 1.7 million older people are now receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance. Similar figures from Social Security Scotland indicate 186,390 pensioners are claiming Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP).
The devolved disability benefit has now replaced all new and existing Attendance Allowance claims for pensioners with a Scottish postcode. Instead of making a claim to DWP, people over State Pension age in Scotland need to make a claim for PADP through Social Security Scotland.
Both payments are currently worth either £76.70 (lower rate) or £114.60 (higher rate) every week and are designed to help people of State Pension age with daily living expenses. The payments are issued every four weeks, which equals £306.80 (lower rate) or £458.40 (higher rate) per payment period.
Both benefits support people with a disability, long-term illness, or mental or physical health issues.
The list of supported conditions is more than 40 in total. The most common disabling condition, an umbrella term used by the DWP, is arthritis, which supports over 512,275 pensioners.
The ten most-claimed Attendance Allowance health conditions are arthritis, dementia, heart disease, respiratory conditions, diseases of the muscles, bones or joints, cerebrovascular disease, back pain, visual disorders and diseases, Parkinson’s, and neurological conditions.
Some claimants considering a new Attendance Allowance application can now complete the process online at GOV.UK. Applicants will need their National Insurance number, address and contact details, details of the disability or health condition, details of their GP surgery or medical centre, and details of any care home, hospital or hospice where they are currently staying.
People who are appointees or hold power of attorney cannot apply online. Online applications must be made on a desktop or laptop computer, not a mobile phone or tablet.
Applicants may also apply by post by printing and submitting the Attendance Allowance claim form from GOV.UK, or by calling the helpline on 0800 731 0122 to request one. The list of conditions is intended only to show what types of conditions are supported and is not a checklist for claiming.
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs for people with a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough to make it hard to look after themselves. It does not cover mobility needs.
Claimants do not need someone caring for them to apply, and people should apply if they need help or supervision during the day or at times during the night, even if they do not currently receive it. This may include help with personal care such as dressing, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and using the toilet, as well as help to stay safe.
People with mental health conditions, learning difficulties, or sensory conditions such as deafness or visual impairment may also qualify.
Attendance Allowance is paid at £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week, or £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period. Recipients can spend the money however they like, for example on taxis, bills, or a cleaner or gardener.
The benefit is not means-tested, so savings and other income do not affect eligibility, and it is tax-free. It does not affect the State Pension, and people can claim it while still working.
Receiving it may also increase entitlement to Extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction.
The claim form is long, but free help is available from Citizens Advice. People thinking of applying when they reach State Pension age may be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away, as it may pay more.
Attendance Allowance cannot be claimed by people over State Pension age living in Scotland, who must claim PADP instead. People already receiving PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for their care cannot get Attendance Allowance, and an Attendance Allowance application made while receiving DLA will usually lead to a reassessment of the DLA award.
More information is available on the GOV.UK website.
