Attendance Allowance is a benefit distributed by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for those over state pension age with a type of disability or illness which means support or supervision is required to help with personal care.
Currently, the benefit can be worth up to £407 a month at its highest rate, equating to a sizeable £4,884 a year
The eligibility criteria to receive the benefit is broad and many common health conditions can qualify a person for the support.
There are around 56 health conditions that could qualify someone for financial support.
State pensioners with one of these 56 conditions could claim Attendance Allowance.
One of the most claimed-for conditions is arthritis, and according to the NHS, it’s thought to affect around 10 million people in the UK.
If any pensioners are suffering from joint pain or arthritis they are encouraged to check and see if they are eligible for Attendance Allowance as it could provide a vital boost.
The most common disabling condition – an umbrella term used by the DWP to cover a multitude of health conditions – was arthritis which is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint.
Across Great Britain, there are now more than 1.4 million people over state pension getting either £68.10 or £101.75 each week through the benefit.
People can spend the money however they like and it could help them stay independent in their own home for longer.
This might include paying for taxis, helping towards bills or paying for a cleaner or gardener.
Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested so it doesn’t matter what other money people have coming in or how much they have in savings.
It’s tax-free and individuals will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so they won’t have money taken away from any other benefits.
People can get Attendance Allowance if they’ve reached state pension age and they have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example, blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both which affect their day-to-day lives.
Pensioners are the most likely group of Britons to be missing out on state benefits from the DWP, according to Age UK.
Successful claimants must have needed help for at least six months unless they are terminally ill.
For more information on how to claim, Britons can visit the Government website.
