DWP £400 per month You can Loose: Common misunderstanding could stop people getting £400 a month

As talk around welfare reforms increases, especially concerning disability benefits like PIP, many people are unaware they could be eligible for other important support. One such benefit is Attendance Allowance, which offers between £73.90 and £110.40 a week to help older people live independently.

What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a government benefit for people over the state pension age who have a disability or health condition that requires support. Many people wrongly believe they need to have a carer to qualify, but that’s not true! You do not need an attendant or carer either now or in the future to claim Attendance Allowance.

You can use the money to stay independent, for example by paying for grocery deliveries, installing home aids, or making your home more accessible. The aim is to help you live safely and comfortably without needing daily assistance.

Real-Life Example: Lily’s Story

Lily, an 88-year-old woman from Durham, found out about Attendance Allowance with the help of Age UK. She said, “Since Age UK Durham helped me claim Attendance Allowance I don’t have to worry. All these years I could have been having help, but I didn’t know.”

Her story shows that many older people could be missing out on important support simply because they don’t know about it.

Who Can Claim Attendance Allowance?

You must meet a few conditions to qualify:

• Be over state pension age.
• Have a disability or health condition that would normally require support.
• Have needed help for at least six months (unless you are nearing end of life).
• Be living in Great Britain and habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands.
• Not be subject to immigration control.
• Not already be claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Adult Disability Payment (ADP).

For example, if you have hearing problems that would normally need a translator, you could qualify even if you manage with hearing aids.

How Much Will You Get?

The amount you receive depends on how much support you need:

• Lower Rate (£73.90 weekly): If you need help or supervision during the day or at night.
• Higher Rate (£110.40 weekly): If you need help or supervision during both the day and the night.

If a medical professional says you are nearing the end of life, you could automatically qualify for the higher rate.

Will You Need an Assessment?

Most people don’t have to undergo an assessment when they apply. However, if the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) finds it unclear how your condition affects you, they might ask a medical professional to assess you.

Other Benefits You Could Get

Receiving Attendance Allowance can also open the door to other financial support like:

• Extra or higher Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Reduction

That’s why it’s important not just to claim Attendance Allowance but to check if you’re eligible for additional help too.

Attendance Allowance is a valuable support that many pensioners could be missing out on. You don’t need a full-time carer to qualify — just proof that you need help due to a disability or health condition. With weekly payments of up to £110.40 and the chance to claim extra benefits, it’s definitely worth checking if you qualify. Reach out to organisations like Age UK if you need help applying and take the first step towards living more independently with financial support.

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