Hundreds of thousands of state pensioners across the UK are set to receive a significant financial boost this November, with potential extra payments of £441 on top of their regular income from the Department for Work and Pensions.
What is Attendance Allowance?
This additional support comes through Attendance Allowance (AA), a popular benefit designed specifically for people who have reached state pension age and need help with personal care due to a physical or mental disability. The benefit is paid at two different rates depending on the level of care required, and it's entirely tax-free.
Currently, an impressive 1,735,589 people over State Pension age are successfully claiming Attendance Allowance across the country. Unlike some other benefits, savings and income do not affect your claim as Attendance Allowance is not means-tested.
Payment Rates and Eligibility
The benefit offers two payment levels. The lower rate of £73.90 per week is for those who need frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night. The higher rate of £110.40 per week applies to those who need help or supervision throughout both day and night, or when a medical professional has indicated they might have 12 months or less to live.
Payments are made every four weeks, resulting in 13 payments over the course of a year. This means recipients could receive either £295.60 or £441.60 every four weeks, depending on which rate they qualify for.
Additional Benefits and Important Exclusions
Claiming Attendance Allowance can open doors to other forms of financial support. Recipients might become eligible for extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction. Furthermore, Attendance Allowance serves as a qualifying benefit for the DWP's annual £10 Christmas Bonus.
However, there are some important restrictions to note. You cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you already receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP). Additionally, those living in care homes where their care is paid for by their local authority usually cannot claim, though self-funding care home residents remain eligible.
For those approaching State Pension age, applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) might be more appropriate and could result in a 10-year award worth up to £749.80 monthly, potentially including a mobility component.
