Pensions could get £370 each month with Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance: How can you claim the benefit?
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Attendance Allowance is a benefit which aims to help older Britons with health conditions stay independent in their own homes for as long as possible. People may be able to claim the support if they are over the state pension age and have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough to make it hard for them to look after themselves. They do not need to have had a formal diagnosis for their condition to apply for the benefit.
They also do not need to have a full-time carer to qualify, however, someone will have needed to have help for at least six months before claiming.
The amount a person receives is dependent on their condition and how it affects someone’s daily life.
If someone needs help either during the day or at night, then they will receive £61.85 each week.
However, if someone needs help during both the day and night they could get £92.40.
READ MORE: 70 health conditions qualify for extra £156 a week in PIP from DWP
Overall, people have the chance to claim up to £370 per month and over £4,000 every year.
The benefit is not means tested which means people who are still working can also claim and it also doesn’t matter how much a person has in savings.
If someone lives in a care home, they may still be eligible to claim the support.
People will be able to claim if they pay all of their own care home costs, rather than by their local authority.
People who face a terminal illness can also apply for support under what is coined the “special rules”.
There is also a quicker application process for people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and aren’t expected to live more than six months.
If a person is eligible for Attendance Allowance, they could also be able to claim further benefits and discounts.
The other benefits that applicants might also qualify for include Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or a Council Tax Reduction.
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These extra benefits a person can receive is why charities, as well as the DWP, are urging pensioners to check if they qualify.
The charity Age UK however does note that the application process can be “daunting”.
This is because the applicant needs to be very open and answer personal questions about their condition and it affects them which many may not feel comfortable doing or could find emotionally draining.
Charities, as well as the DWP, are urging pensioners to check if they qualify for Attendance Allowance, and therefore potentially the extra benefits.
They also provide support and help for individuals when filling out the form.
People can access the application form on the DWP’s website at GOV.UK.
If a person’s claim for Attendance Allowance is successful, then they may be able to backdate the payments to the date of the claim.
The DWP says this is usually the date their form is received or the date someone calls the enquiry line.
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