People with a range of health conditions can qualify for the DWP payments
State pensioners have been urged to check if they could qualify for some extra cash from the DWP. People of state pension age can get Attendance Allowance, which pays £73.90 or £110.40 a week. This means you can get up to £5,740.80 a year through the scheme, or around £478 a month.
Finance expert Simon Misiewicz, from Optimise Accountants Limited, said many people could be missing out on the benefit. He said this could be because “they either don’t realise they qualify or underestimate how disabilities are assessed”.
To qualify for the payments, you need to have a health condition where you need someone else’s help to look after you. DWP guidance explains your condition be either a “physical disability, a mental disability, or a health condition”.
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Mr Misiewicz said that people with certain health conditions risk missing out. He said this includes people with ‘invisible’ conditions such as arthritis, severe joint pain, diabetes complications, or cognitive decline.
Another group who risk missing out on the cash, worth up to £441 each pay period, are those “people who struggle with daily activities but don’t have a formal diagnosis”. The expert said people may also put off applying as they don’t want to “burden the system”.
He also warned that people may think they don’t qualify for the benefit because they have savings or they own their home. But in reality as Attendance Allowance is intended to cover the extra costs associated with your care, it isn’t means tested, so your savings or income will not impact your eligibility.
Mr Misiewicz said: “Many assume Attendance Allowance only covers physical disabilities, but it also applies to mental health issues, including anxiety and dementia, where supervision or reassurance is required to stay safe.” He said the cash can make a big difference, helping cover your costs for your care, such as paying for any home adaptations or transport needs.
Another perk of being on Attendance Allowance is it opens up eligibility to other Government support. The finance expert said: “This benefit can be a gateway to additional support, such as Council Tax Reduction or increased Pension Credit entitlement. More than being a basic right, claiming what you’re eligible for can transform quality of life for older adults and their families.”