Attendance Allowance rules older people should know or DWP payments could stop
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there were nearly 1.7 million people across Great Britain receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance at the end of August last year.
The data also indicates 150,000 people living in Scotland are now receiving either £73.90 or £110.40 each week through the tax-free benefit, which is delivered by the DWP and designed to help older people with daily living expenses.
However, many claimants may not be aware there are several changes in circumstances which must be reported to the DWP's Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 as soon as possible - especially if your condition changes or you go into hospital - as they could affect entitlement or payments.
DWP guidance on the GOV.UK website also 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.' The guidance goes on to list changes claimants must report which are outlined below.
New claims for Attendance Allowance in Scotland-only have been replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment, however, existing claimants must continue to report changes in circumstance to DWP until their award transfers to the devolved benefits system.
Migration from the DWP system to Social Security Scotland is due to be completed by the end of this year.
Reporting a change in circumstances
If your circumstances change, the amount you get from Attendance Allowance may go up or down.
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 not sure if a change affects your Attendance Allowance benefit, it's worthwhile contacting the DWP to check - full details on GOV.UK here.
It's also important to be aware DWP guidance states if your circumstances change, the amount you get from Attendance Allowance may go up or down.
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:
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
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:
a mental health condition
learning difficulties
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.
Health issues supported by Attendance Allowance
Support is also provided for People who are terminally ill.
Arthritis
Spondylosis
Back Pain – Other / Precise Diagnosis not Specified
Disease of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
Trauma to Limbs
Blindness
Deafness
Heart disease
Chest disease
Asthma
Cystic Fibrosis
Cerebrovascular Disease
Peripheral vascular Disease
Epilepsy
Neurological Diseases
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson's
Motor Neurone Disease
Chronic Pain Syndromes
Diabetes Mellitus
Metabolic Disease
Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
Learning Difficulties
Psychosis
Psychoneurosis
Personality Disorder
Dementia
Behavioural Disorder
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Hyperkinetic Syndrome
Renal Disorders
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Bowel and Stomach Disease
Blood Disorders
Haemophilia
Multi System Disorders
Multiple Allergy Syndrome
Skin Disease
Malignant Disease
Severely Mentally impaired
Double Amputee
Deaf/Blind
Haemodialysis
Frailty
Total Parenteral Nutrition
AIDS
How much could I get on Attendance Allowance?
From April 7, you could receive £73.90 (lower rate) if you need help during the day or at night or £110.40 (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 £295.60 or £441.60 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:
paying for taxis
helping towards bills
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:
Extra Pension Credit
Housing Benefit Reduction
Council Tax Reduction
Full guidance on Attendance Allowance can be found on GOV.UK here.
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