Latest news with #AttendanceAllowance
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
People with these medical conditions could get over £1,362 a month DWP payments
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Millions of Brits above the state pension age across Great Britain could receive up to £1,362 each month through a combination of two separate payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) are paid independently of the state pension, but can provide additional financial support for older people with a disability, long-term illness, physical or mental health condition. Attendance Allowance and PADP are not means-tested and worth either £73.90 for the lower rate or £110.40 for the higher rate each week and as the benefit is usually paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period. Pensioners could add up to £5,740 to their 2025/26 income to help with the extra costs through either of the disability benefits. The full state pension is £230.25 per week and as the payment is typically made every four weeks, this amounts to £921 a month. Annual payments are worth £11,973 over the 2025/26 financial year, reports the Daily Star. However, it's important to be aware that not all of the 4.1m people on the state pension receive the full amount as it is linked to National Insurance Contributions. The full basic state pension is £176.45 per week, or £705.80 every four-week payment period. Annual payments are worth £9,175.40 over the 2025/26 financial year, reports the Express. To check your own future state pension payments, use the online forecasting tool on here. In Scotland, pensioners are no longer eligible to claim Attendance Allowance and must instead apply for Pension Age Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland. This benefit is set to fully replace Attendance Allowance by the close of 2025. The amount received for either Attendance Allowance or PADP is contingent on the level of support required. The benefit aims to assist individuals of State Pension age with daily living costs due to their condition, potentially enabling them to maintain independence in their own home for a longer period. Neither Attendance Allowance nor PADP includes a mobility component. The conditions outlined below are derived from data recorded on the DWP's Attendance Allowance computer system. PADP also caters to individuals with these conditions. However, it's crucial to understand that this list does not serve as a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance or PADP, but rather provides insight into the types of conditions being supported. If you require additional assistance during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should consult the official eligibility guidance for Attendance Allowance on the website here. Main health conditions providing support to older people across Great Britain Cystic Fibrosis Cerebrovascular Disease Peripheral vascular Disease Epilepsy Neurological Diseases Multiple Sclerosis Parkinsons Disease 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 Infectious diseases: Viral disease - Coronavirus covid-19 Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Pensioners with health issues urged to claim new benefit after Attendance Allowance ends in Scotland
Pension Age Disability Payment is only available for older people with a Scottish postcode. Pensioners in Scotland are being urged to contact a charity for help claiming a new disability benefit, only available to people over 66 living north of the border. Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) is administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland and replaces all new claims for Attendance Allowance. Existing Attendance Allowance claimants will continue to receive payments of up to £441.60 every four-week payment period from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) until their award transfers to the devolved IT system before the end of this year. National advice agency Advice Direct Scotland said households should not be concerned by the switch from Attendance Allowance to PADP as there will be no break in payments - now worth either £75.90 or £110.40 each week. However, any changes in circumstances should continue to be reported to DWP until the migration has been completed. The charity, which handles more than 900,000 inquiries a year, can help people of State Pension age with a disability, long-term illness or health condition, make a new claim for PADP or answer queries on the move from Attendance Allowance. Rebecca Fagan, benefit and welfare information officer at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'This is essentially a rebranding of an existing benefit, in this case, Attendance Allowance. While the name and handling are changing, the support remains the same. 'We understand that these changes can cause concern for some people who fear they may lose out. It's crucial that older people who are disabled, terminally ill, or have care needs continue to receive the financial support necessary to maintain their well-being, safety, and dignity. 'The Pension Age Disability Payment will be a vital source of assistance for those with long-term health conditions. With the rising cost of living and increasing bills, it's more important than ever that older people access all available financial aid. 'If you're uncertain about your eligibility or need help with an application, our team at is here to offer free, confidential support.' The Pension Age Disability Payment is available to people of State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision to stay safe. It is also available to pensioners who are terminally ill. It is the 15th benefit now managed by the Scottish Government through Social Security Scotland. Scots can check their eligibility and apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment on the website here. The team can be reached at 0808 800 9060, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, or through their website at Advice Direct Scotland also provides an online benefits calculator to help people assess their entitlement to both devolved and reserved benefits. You can check for unclaimed benefits or discounts here. Support making a claim from an independent advocate Help is also available from the independent advocacy service VoiceAbility, which is funded by the Scottish Government, to help disabled people applying for devolved benefits. It provides a free, nationwide advocacy service supporting disabled people to access Social Security Scotland benefits. If you need an advocate, you should: contact Social Security Scotland for free on 0800 182 2222 ask them to refer you to the Independent Advocacy Service Full contact details can be found here.
North Wales Live
6 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
People with these medical conditions could get over £1,362 a month DWP payments
Millions of Brits above the state pension age across Great Britain could receive up to £1,362 each month through a combination of two separate payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) are paid independently of the state pension, but can provide additional financial support for older people with a disability, long-term illness, physical or mental health condition. Attendance Allowance and PADP are not means-tested and worth either £73.90 for the lower rate or £110.40 for the higher rate each week and as the benefit is usually paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period. Pensioners could add up to £5,740 to their 2025/26 income to help with the extra costs through either of the disability benefits. The full state pension is £230.25 per week and as the payment is typically made every four weeks, this amounts to £921 a month. Annual payments are worth £11,973 over the 2025/26 financial year, reports the Daily Star. However, it's important to be aware that not all of the 4.1m people on the state pension receive the full amount as it is linked to National Insurance Contributions. The full basic state pension is £176.45 per week, or £705.80 every four-week payment period. Annual payments are worth £9,175.40 over the 2025/26 financial year, reports the Express. To check your own future state pension payments, use the online forecasting tool on here. In Scotland, pensioners are no longer eligible to claim Attendance Allowance and must instead apply for Pension Age Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland. This benefit is set to fully replace Attendance Allowance by the close of 2025. The amount received for either Attendance Allowance or PADP is contingent on the level of support required. The benefit aims to assist individuals of State Pension age with daily living costs due to their condition, potentially enabling them to maintain independence in their own home for a longer period. Neither Attendance Allowance nor PADP includes a mobility component. The conditions outlined below are derived from data recorded on the DWP's Attendance Allowance computer system. PADP also caters to individuals with these conditions. However, it's crucial to understand that this list does not serve as a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance or PADP, but rather provides insight into the types of conditions being supported. If you require additional assistance during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should consult the official eligibility guidance for Attendance Allowance on the website here. Main health conditions providing support to older people across Great Britain Cystic Fibrosis Cerebrovascular Disease Peripheral vascular Disease Epilepsy Neurological Diseases Multiple Sclerosis Parkinsons Disease 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 Infectious diseases: Viral disease - Coronavirus covid -19 Find out what's happening near you
Daily Record
7 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Older people on Attendance Allowance may be due an extra £331 each month
Low-income pensioners on disability benefits, or those providing unpaid care, may be entitled to extra financial support. Online guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on explains that if someone of State Pension age on a low income receives Attendance Allowance or the middle or highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Adult Disability Payment (ADP), they may be entitled to extra Pension Credit. This will also include older people in Scotland claiming the new Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). The disability element of Pension Credit is now worth £82.90 per week, which amounts to £331.60 every four-week pay period. Similarly, a couple claiming Pension Credit where one person is claiming a disability benefit, will also receive an extra £82.90 each week and if someone is paid Carer's Allowance they may be entitled to extra weekly Pension Credit of £46.40. Older people may also get this extra Pension Credit if they are entitled to Carer's Allowance but are not being paid it, or being paid it at a lower amount than normal, because they are being paid a higher amount by another, income-related benefit such as the State Pension - more commonly referred to as an 'underlying entitlement'. Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, are currently receiving Pension Credit, which the DWP recently confirmed could provide an average of £4,300 in support during the year ahead. However, the latest figures from the DWP suggest there are still 760,000 eligible pensioners not claiming the benefit they are entitled to. Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, heating bills and Council Tax. Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £227.10 a week for single pensioners or £346.60 for couples. It is a tax-free payment for those who: have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and live in Great Britain Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on here. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are currently open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Expert help and advice is also available from: Independent Age Income Max Citizen's Advice Age UK Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it and how much you could get. Pension Credit in a nutshell Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also provide access to a range of other benefits. The benefit tops up income to a minimum of £227.10 per week for single pensioners and £346.60 for couples - more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities. Other help if you get Pension Credit If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as: Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in Council Tax discount Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme and Winter Fuel Payment A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit In May 2019, the law changed so a 'mixed age couple' - a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it - are considered to be a 'working age' couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age. How to use the Pension Credit calculator To use the calculator on you will need details of: earnings, benefits and pensions savings and investments You'll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options. This includes: Your date of birth Your residential status Where in the UK you live Whether you are registered blind Which benefits you currently receive How much you receive each week for any benefits you get Whether someone is paid Carer's Allowance to look after you How much you get each week from pensions - State Pension, private and work pensions Any employment earnings Any savings, investments or bonds you have Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week. All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support. There's also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to make sure you're receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim. Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator? You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner: are deferring your State Pension own more than one property are self employed have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit How to make a claim You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months. This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time. You will need: your National Insurance number information about your income, savings and investments your bank account details, if you're applying by phone or by post If you're backdating your claim, you'll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start. Apply online You can use the online service if: you have already claimed your State Pension there are no children or young people included in your claim To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Older people with long-term health issues urged to contact charity directly for help claiming income top-ups
Independent Age can help older people with health issues claim Attendance Allowance. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? Independent Age is urging older people with long-term health conditions to contact them directly for help claiming benefits, Council Tax discounts and getting assistance for their daily care needs. The charity has launched a 'living well with long-term health conditions' campaign to encourage more people to make sure they are receiving all the support they are entitled to. Independent Age said: 'Whether you've just been diagnosed or have been managing your condition for some time, life can have its challenges when you have a long-term health condition. But with a few simple steps and the right support, you can take control, manage your condition and live well.' People can view or download the full guide online here, or order a free copy from the charity. It's worthwhile noting that you can also listen to the online version. Care needs assessment Independent Age explained that if you're finding it harder to manage day-to-day tasks, a care needs assessment could help you identify the care and support you need - and the best ways to access it. Help like meals on wheels or a care worker to assist with tasks like washing, dressing or taking medication. A care needs assessment from your local council could help you get the support that truly makes a difference. To find out about getting a care needs assessment, the charity advises people to contact their local council's adult social care department to find out what help is available and how to access it. Full details about care needs assessment can be found on the Independent Age website here. Reduce your Council Tax Older people on a low income in Scotland may be able to get a Council Tax Reduction, a unique discount only available north of the border. In England and Wales, older people may be eligible for a Council Tax discount. The names may be different, but the premise is the same and all accessed through your local council. Most councils have a dedicated Council Tax section on their local authority website, which lists different ways to qualify for a bill discount/reduction. Independent Age has a video to help people take the first step in reducing your Council Tax, which you can view here. There is also a detailed guide with all the information you need which you can download here. Check for extra financial help Independent Age said: 'So many people are not claiming the benefits that they are entitled to and as a result, missing out on extra money each week. Even if you think you're getting everything you're entitled to, it's worth checking.' You can use the free, confidential online benefits calculator to work out exactly what you can claim and get a personalised report. Full details here. Many of the 13 million pensioners across the UK may not be aware they could be eligible for two separate benefits, worth a combined total of up to £10,040 over the 2025/26 financial year. One of the benefits is not means-tested and aims to help older people with long-term health conditions while the other can provide extra financial support to those on a low income. Pension Credit helps those over State Pension age on a low income by boosting annual income by an average of £4,300, while Attendance Allowance can provide additional financial support of up to £441.60 each month - some £5,740.80 each year. Both these payments are paid separately from the State Pension, which is now worth up to £230.25 each week, or £921 every four-week payment period. The full, New State Pension will be worth £11,973 this year. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates 760,000 are eligible for Pension Credit and not claiming the income-related benefit. Similarly, over one million pensioners are believed to be eligible for Attendance Allowance, which is not affected by income or savings, is tax-free and is not counted as income when it comes to claiming Pension Credit. Pensioners in Scotland can now claim Pension Age Disability Payment - the benefit replacing Attendance Allowance north of the border. Full details can be found on here. Pension Credit in a nutshell Pension Credit currently supports 1.4 million people, including 125,000 living in Scotland. It tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £227.10 a week for single pensioners or £346.60 for couples. It is worth on average £4,300 this year. If you are a single person on the New State Pension with a total weekly income below £227.10, or part of a couple with a combined weekly income of less than £346.60, you may be eligible for Pension Credit. An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock access to other financial support, including the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland. Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit In May 2019, the law changed so a 'mixed age couple' - a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it - are considered to be a 'working age' couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age. Other help if you get Pension Credit If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as: Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in Council Tax discount Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, Winter Fuel Payment or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on here. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Expert help and advice is also available from: Independent Age Income Max Citizens Advice Age UK Attendance Allowance in a nutshell The information below is also relevant to Pension Age Disability Payment, the only difference is how to claim. All devolved benefits and payments are administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland - full details here. Attendance Allowance currently helps nearly 1.7 million older people across Great Britain including 150,000 living in Scotland with the extra daily living costs of having a physical or mental health condition, disability or long-term illness. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim. People over State Pension age claiming Attendance Allowance receive either £73.90 (lower rate) or £110.40 (higher rate) each week. As the benefit is usually paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £295.60 or £441.60 every payment period - some £5,740.80 over the 2025/26 financial year. Who can claim? You should apply for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you don't currently get that help. This might 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 apply if you have difficulties with 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. Attendance Allowance isn't just for people with a physical disability or illness. You should also claim if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have: a mental health condition learning difficulties a sensory condition - if you are deaf or visually impaired 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 you're already claiming. You can also claim it if you're still working and earning money. How to make a claim Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the website here.
