DWP warning on state pensioner benefit claim fees, Digi Mart USA News (United Kingdom): The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned that benefits claimants could lose “half” of the money they are owed. The department has issued the warning to state pensioners who might be eligible for Attendance Allowance or Home Responsibilities Protection.
In a plea for retirees to be careful, the DWP said: “You may be contacted unexpectedly by a company that offers to help you claim your benefits and entitlements. They may say they will claim on your behalf for free, with no upfront costs, but there are often hidden fees associated with their services.
This can be as much as half of the money you are owed.”
The DWP added: “You can easily find yourself in a verbal contract that you didn’t realise you’d agreed to. If you are approached or know someone who has been contacted by one of these companies, you should take care to understand their offer and the fees associated with the help they are offering.
If you are not careful, they may make a fraudulent claim on your behalf.”
“Don’t pay to claim. You don’t need to use these companies because it’s always free to claim your benefits and entitlements directly from the government.”
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you are at State Pension Age or older and have a disability or health condition severe enough that you need someone to help look after you. “Find out if you are eligible and the independent support available to help you claim,” the department said.
“If you claimed Child Benefit (formerly Family Allowance) between 1978 and 2010, you should have automatically received Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP). Unfortunately, for some people, HRP was not correctly recorded.
Find out if you are eligible and the independent support available to you claim.”
The DWP has published guides on Attendance Allowance and Home Responsibilities Protection on its website.
