State pension: You may get up to £358 per month for back pain or other conditions

Martin Lewis gives details on claiming attendance allowance

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State Pension payments are received by individuals who have reached an eligible age, building up enough National Insurance contributions throughout their lifetime. The sum can be particularly useful for older people as they depart from the workforce for retirement. Without the constant stream of income from a salary or wages, financial support from the state pension is likely to be important for meeting a myriad of costs.

However, in this sense, there may be some who could be entitled to additional support.

Many people are living with health conditions, and unfortunately, these can sometimes be exacerbated when a person gets older.

But these may not just cause pain or discomfort, but can also come with costs to ensure one can still live a comfortable life.

Bearing this in mind, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has devised a solution to help.

Those of state pension age who are living with certain health conditions or disabilities may be able to receive a payment to support them.

This is known as Attendance Allowance, and the amount someone receives depends on the level of help they require.

One particularly common condition many will have to navigate is back pain, which can vary in degrees of severity.

The NHS has said pain in the lower back, or lumbago, is particularly common, although this can be felt anywhere along the spine.

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The health service acknowledged the pain can sometimes last a long time, creating challenges for those who live with this.

Certain individuals may have to seek manual therapy, for example through a chiropractor or osteopath.

It added: “Psychological support, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, can be a useful part of treatment if you’re struggling to cope with pain.”

Some individuals will choose to see a manual therapist first before consulting a GP.

And it is in cases such as these that private treatment will have to be sought, often with a cost.

Attendance Allowance, therefore, might be able to help if a person finds they are eligible.

Individuals must be of state pension age, and have a physical or mental disability, or both.

The condition must be severe enough for a person to need help caring for themselves or supervision – although Britons do not have to have someone caring for them in order to claim.

The help a person needs must have been required for at least six months to claim Attendance Allowance. 

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Attendance Allowance is paid weekly at two different rates, but the payment is not means-tested.

The lower rate of the payment is £60, and is made available for those who need “frequent help or constant supervision during the day” or supervision at night.

The higher payment of £89.60 is for those who need help or supervision throughout both day and night.

As a result, then, individuals could receive up to £358 per month to assist with their needs.

To apply for Attendance Allowance, Britons are encouraged to visit the Government’s official website where an Attendance Allowance claim form can be accessed.

This form should then be sent to Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance to action a claim.

Individuals will not need a postcode or stamp for this documentation. 

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