The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed that over 1.6 million people across Great Britain were receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance at the end of May last year. This non-means-tested benefit is worth £72.65 or £108.55 each week to people who claim.
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit aimed at helping older people with daily living expenses, potentially enabling them to remain independent in their own homes for longer.
However, claimants must be aware that any changes in circumstances should be reported to the DWP’s Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 as soon as possible, particularly if their condition changes, as this could affect entitlement or payments.
The DWP guidance on the GOV.UK website warns: “You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.”
If your circumstances change, the amount you receive from Attendance Allowance may increase or decrease, reports the Daily Record.
Reporting a change in circumstances
Failure to report changes in circumstance could lead to your payments being stopped or reduced.
You must contact the Attendance Allowance helpline straight away if:
- the level of help you need or your condition changes – you’ll need to provide details like if the amount of times you need help each day has changed
- you go into hospital or a care home – you’ll need to provide the address, the dates you’ve been there for, and how your stay is paid for
- a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live
- you plan to leave the country for more than 4 weeks
- you go into prison
- you change your name, address or bank details
- you want to stop receiving your benefit
- your doctor’s details change
- your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen
If you’re unsure whether a change affects your Attendance Allowance benefit, it’s advisable to contact the DWP to check – full details can be found on GOV.UK here.
Reporting a change if you need more help
You should consider contacting the DWP to report a change if you feel you need more help for a disability or illness. This could be additional help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you do not currently get that help.
This could include:
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Help with your personal care – for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet
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Help to stay safe
You should also consider reporting a change if you are experiencing more difficulties completing personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. But remember, Attendance Allowance is not just for people with a physical disability or illness.
You should also consider reporting a change if you need more help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:
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a mental health condition
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learning difficulties
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a sensory condition – if you are deaf or blind
You can contact the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. Full details about reporting a change can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
There are more than 50 physical or mental health conditions being supported by Attendance Allowance and even if you’re already claiming for one of these, another may have developed or your current condition may have become more debilitating.
How much could I get on Attendance Allowance?
You could receive £72.65 (lower rate) if you need help during the day or at night or £108.55 (Higher rate) if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks , which means you could receive either £290.60 or £434.20 every pay period.
You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer.
This might include:
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paying for taxis
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helping towards bills
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paying for a cleaner or gardener
Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income?
Yes. Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested so it doesn’t matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings either – there’s no limit. it is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won’t have money taken away from any other benefits.
Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension?
No, it won’t affect your State Pension and you can even claim it if you’re still working and earning money.
How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, these include:
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Extra Pension Credit
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Housing Benefit Reduction
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Council Tax Reduction
Full guidance on Attendance Allowance can be found on GOV.UK here.