The benefit is only available to people over the state pension, with the highest rate offering £110.40 per week
Attendance Allowance, a crucial financial lifeline for disabled people over the state pension age, offers two rates – either £73.90 or £110.40 per week, depending on the severity of their disability.
However, those currently on the lower rate could see themselves bumped up to the higher rate under two specific circumstances, both of which must be reported to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Firstly, if your condition or overall health alters, affecting the level of support you need, this will also impact the amount of assistance you receive from Attendance Allowance. If your condition worsens and you require more help, your benefit may be increased to the higher rate.
When reporting this change to the DWP, you’ll need to provide details about the shift, such as if the amount of daily assistance you require is changing.
Secondly, if you’re already receiving Attendance Allowance and then receive a terminal diagnosis from a healthcare professional indicating you have 12 months or less to live, your benefit rate could be increased.
This falls under the Special Rules for End of Life, also known as SREL. It ensures that those nearing the end of life receive their benefit payments quicker and at the highest possible rate.
The special rules also allow claimants to sidestep some of the eligibility criteria. For instance, those applying for Attendance Allowance under these rules may not need to demonstrate that they’ve been facing difficulties for at least six months.
However, obtaining the precise end-of-life prediction required to apply under these rules can be challenging. The DWP pointed out: “It can be difficult to predict how long someone might live for. If a medical professional has not talked to you about this, you can still ask them to support your claim under the special rules for end of life.”
Further details about SREL and changes in circumstances that could impact your Attendance Allowance claim can be found on the Gov.uk website.
To be eligible for Attendance Allowance, you first need to have reached the state pension age which is currently 66.
- All of the following must also apply:
- You have a physical disability, a mental disability, or a health condition
- Your disability or health condition is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
- You have needed that help for at least 6 months
Despite its name, you don’t require an attendant or carer to make a claim, and the funds can be used on accommodation items that enable you to maintain your independence instead of hiring an attendant.