Money-saving expert Martin Lewis is calling on over a million pensioners with health issues or disabilities to get in touch with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by phone to kick-start their claim for Attendance Allowance. This could lead to a windfall in backdated payments of this non-means tested benefit.
On his latest show, Martin Lewis Money Show Live, he highlighted that older individuals initiating a new claim online will only receive payments from the date they apply.
However, if they call the DWP and request an application form, successful applicants will be paid Attendance Allowance from the date they asked for the form. The financial whizz stressed that forms obtained via phone must be filled out and sent back to the DWP within six weeks, or else claimants might miss out on retrospective payments.
Speaking to ITV viewers, Martin said: “Attendance Allowance is not means tested they (DWP) do not look at your means or how much money you’ve got – you are entitled to it or you’re not entitled to it regardless of finances. It is for those who need help with daily living who have mental or physical health conditions.”
“If you need help during the day, or at night, but not both, it’s the lower rate of £73 a week – just under £4,000 a year. If you need help during the day and at night that’s the higher rate of £109 a week – just under £6,000 a year.”, reports the Daily Record.
The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com also pointed out that to qualify for Attendance Allowance, one must have “needed help for six consecutive months”.
Martin Lewis sent out a strong message, highlighting: “This is crucially important. You must’ve needed help, not you must’ve got help. There are many people out there who need help and haven’t got help which is why Attendance Allowance is there.”
The money-saving expert also shared his insights on the advantages of calling over applying online for welfare support, noting: “The way I would apply for this is to call up and request a form, I would not do it online because if you call them that date is noted and then when your application goes in it will be back paid to the date that you called.”
“If you do it online then it’s the point that you submit, which is clearly a later point because you got quite a lot of work to do to get it. Now there is a case that if you take a long time after calling up – more than six weeks to submit your form – then they don’t have to backpay because you’ve taken too long to do your form and therefore you can’t do it as a retrospective.”
He emphasised: “I generally suggest you call rather than go online.”
Anyone in need of such assistance should dial the DWP on 0800 731 0122. The guidance was also included in Martins latest dispatch of the MSE newsletter. To summarise Attendance Allowance:
As of the end of February 2024, the DWP reports show that there are over 1.6 million pensioners benefiting from Attendance Allowance, with around 144,000 of these recipients residing in Scotland.
If you’re a resident of Argyll and Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney or Shetland, it’s crucial to know that you can’t make a new claim for Attendance Allowance. Instead, you can now apply for the newly devolved benefit – Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) – from Social Security Scotland.
By the end of 2025, PADP will take over Attendance Allowance for both new and existing claimants living solely in Scotland. More information can be found here. The amount received for Attendance Allowance or PADP is dependent on the level of support required. The benefit is designed to assist people of State Pension age with daily living costs, potentially enabling them to maintain their independence at home for longer. It’s key to note that neither Attendance Allowance nor PADP includes a mobility component. Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance and PADP. The conditions listed below are based on data from the DWP’s Attendance Allowance computer system. PADP also supports individuals with these conditions.
- Arthritis
- Spondylosis
- Back Pain
- Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
- Trauma to Limbs
- Visual Disorders and Diseases
- Hearing Disorders
- Heart Disease
- Respiratory Disorders and Diseases
- Asthma
- 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
However, this list should not be seen as a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance or PADP. It’s intended to provide an understanding of 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 GOV. UK website here.
The main health conditions providing support to older people across Great Britain. The guide below primarily focuses on Attendance Allowance, but it also applies to PADP. Full details about PADP can be found on mygov.scot here.
What exactly is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a benefit that helps with additional costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes self-care difficult – it does not cover mobility needs. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to apply.
Who is eligible to claim?
You should consider applying for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and require help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night – even if you don’t currently receive that help.
This might encompass assistance with your personal care – for instance getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and using the toilet.
Help to ensure your safety:
You should also consider applying if you struggle with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, cause you pain or you need physical assistance, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn’t just for individuals with a physical disability or illness.
You should also apply if you require 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
How much could I potentially receive on Attendance Allowance?
PADP is paid at the same rate as Attendance Allowance. You could receive either £72.65 (lower rate) or £108.55 (higher rate) each week, which equates to either £290.60 or £434.20 every pay period.
The money can be spent however you wish and it could assist you in maintaining your independence in your own home for a longer period of time.
This might include:
- Covering taxi fares
- Contributing towards bills
- Employing a cleaner or gardener
Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income?
Yes. 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 – there’s no limit.
It is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won’t have money deducted from any other benefits.
Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension?
No, it won’t impact your State Pension and you can even claim it if you’re still working and earning money.
How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
If you receive Attendance Allowance, your other benefits might increase. These include:
- Additional Pension Credit.
- Housing Benefit Reduction.
- Council Tax Reduction.
- How do I make a claim?
To apply for Attendance Allowance, you will need to complete a lengthy claim form. Although it may seem intimidating at first, assistance is available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age.
Full details on how to obtain the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the GOV. UK website here.
How to claim PADP
You can apply for PADP online, over the phone, or by post. Full details are available here.
What should I do as I approach State Pension age?
If you’re considering applying for Attendance Allowance as you reach State Pension age, it might be more beneficial to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) immediately – you could potentially receive more money.
If you’re a resident of Scotland, you should apply for Adult Disability Payment – more information is available here.
Who is ineligible for Attendance Allowance?
If you’re already receiving PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to cover your care costs, you won’t be eligible for Attendance Allowance. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while receiving DLA, the DWP will typically reassess your DLA award instead.
You can renew your PIP or DLA when the current award expires, provided you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
More information about Attendance Allowance can be found on the GOV. UK website here.
