The financial expert encouraged eligible people to apply for Attendance Allowance and said that the potential money available to them has been ‘massively underclaimed’
Martin Lewis issued an urgent alert to more than a million people who could be missing out on thousands of pounds. The money guru highlighted that those who are disabled or of state pension age could be eligible to claim £3,800 – yet many are unaware of this significant amount. Following cutbacks on financial aid for pensioners and the means-testing of Winter Fuel Payments, Martin emphasised the importance of seeking help through any available channels.
He previously raised awareness about Attendance Allowance (AA) and revealed that his site, MoneySavingExpert, had been inundated with queries about eligibility. He stressed that AA is “massively underclaimed” and encouraged others to apply.
According to 2023 Policy in Practice calculations, an estimated 1.1 million eligible pensioners could be missing out. “So whether it’s you, or someone you know who may qualify, take two minutes to read this. Last week, Andrea sent us this email..” he said. She wrote: “I never thought I’d qualify [for Attendance Allowance], but I do. I got £1,260 backdated and £290 every four weeks. Thanks for all your work”
A woman named Christine also successfully applying for Attendance Allowance for her husband, exclaiming: “Applied for Attendance Allowance for my husband and today the first payment was made (even before a letter arrived telling us! ). He’s entitled to the upper limit, which is even more than we could’ve hoped for.”
She also applied for a blue badge for him, adding: “At the same time, I optimistically applied for a blue badge for him too and again, confirmation of this being approved arrived today! Without the advice on the MSE email we would not have even been aware of being eligible. THANK YOU MSE team.”
How Attendance Allowance works
The amount of savings or earnings are irrelevant to AA, as it is for state pensioners who need some daily living help. You must be of state pension age (at least 66). There are no specific conditions listed and it be a mental or physical disability or illness and its impact on you that matters. You must have needed help or supervision for six consecutive months – this includes daily living assistance such washing or eating.
It makes no difference if you previously didn’t get it. You can apply on someone’s behalf and if you’re looking after someone who fits the criteria, you can apply for them if they can sign the form or you’ve Power of Attorney to do it on their behalf. The minimum amount of money MSE states you can receive is the lower rate of £73 per week, which totals to £3,778 annually. However, there are individuals who may receive more if they require additional assistance or have less than a year to live.
Applying for Attendance Allowance
How you apply matters, so it’s best to call up and request an application form as then the claims are backdated to the day of that request. If you do it online, there’s no backdating.
Be sure to have your National Insurance number, GP prescriptions and hospital records ready when you apply and fill in the form as much as you can. One thing to be aware of is that if you already receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) then they are both usually worth at least as much as, and often more than, AA. This is important because you cannot get both.
Getting AA could unlock access to thousands of pounds worth of other extra help, which include includes qualification for a Disabled Person’s Railcard. You may also be accepted for a blue badge to park in places others can’t, often for free, depending on the council.
Elsewhere, you may receive council tax help with the severe mental impairment (SMI) discount, which can mean 25% off for some or 100% off for those who live alone (or with someone else with an SMI). If you have live-in carer then you may be entitled to a council tax discount and if someone close to you looks after you unpaid for 20 to 35 hours a week, your AA may mean they get Carer’s Credit. While if you’re on a low income you could get up to £81 a week extra Pension Credit or up to £416 a month additional Universal Credit.
