Older people claiming Attendance Allowance can get back payments using Martin Lewis tip
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that by the end of May 2024, there were over 1.6 million older people receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance, including 146,287 living in Scotland. The payment is now worth either £72.65 or £108.55 each week and is designed to help people of State Pension age with additional daily living costs.
However, consumer champion Martin Lewis recently warned that over one million pensioners could be missing out on the non-means-tested benefit and explained a clever way to ensure payments are ‘backdated’ to the point of claim, and not when the DWP receives a completed application form.
READ MORE: New payment to replace Attendance Allowance for nearly 130,000 people this year
During an episode of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, the consumer champion explained how older people making a new claim online will only receive payments from the date it was submitted.
However, by calling the DWP and asking for an application form to be set out in the post, successful claimants will receive Attendance Allowance payments from that date.
The financial guru explained how application forms requested over the phone need to be completed and returned to the DWP within six weeks or back payments might not be issued.
Martin told ITV viewers: “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.”
Martin also explained the logic behind calling the DWP to ask for an application form to be sent out rather than doing it online.
He said: “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 added: “I generally suggest you call rather than go online.”
Numbers to call for Attendance Allowance claim form:
DWP: 0800 731 0122 - people in Scotland, England and Wales
NI Direct: 0800 587 0912 - people in Northern Ireland
Phone lines are open during daytime hours Monday to Friday. The form can be downloaded from GOV.UK here.
Attendance Allowance in a nutshell
It's important to be aware that if you live in Argyll and Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney or Shetland, you cannot make a new claim for Attendance Allowance. You can now claim the new devolved benefit - Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) - from Social Security Scotland.
PADP will replace Attendance Allowance for new and existing claimants living in Scotland only, by the end of 2025. Find out more here.
How much someone receives for Attendance Allowance or PADP depends on the level of support needed and the benefit is designed to help people of State Pension age with daily living expenses which can also help them stay independent in their own home for longer.
It’s important to be aware there is no mobility component attached to Attendance Allowance or PADP.
Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance and PADP
The conditions listed below are sourced from information recorded on the DWP’s Attendance Allowance computer system. PADP also supports people with these conditions.
However, it’s important to note this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance or PADP, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported. However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance for Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.
Main health conditions providing support to older people across Great Britain
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
The guide below focuses on Attendance Allowance, but also applies to PADP. Full details about PADP can be fond on mygov.scot here.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness severe enough that makes it hard for you to look after yourself - it does not cover mobility needs. You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to make a claim.
Who can claim?
You should apply for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night - even if you don’t currently get that help.
This might include:
Help with your personal care - for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet
Help to stay safe
You should also apply if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn’t just for people with a physical disability or illness.
You should also claim if you need 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 get 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. This amounts to either £290.60 or £434.20 every pay period.
You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer.
This might include:
paying for taxis
helping towards bills
paying for 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 either - there's no limit. it is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won't have money taken away from any other benefits.
Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension?
No, it won't affect your State Pension and you can even claim it if you're still working and earning money.
How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits?
The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, these include:
Extra Pension Credit
Housing Benefit Reduction
Council Tax Reduction
How do I make a claim?
You will need to complete a long claim form when you apply for Attendance Allowance. It might seem daunting at first but help is available from Citizens Advice and Independent Age.
Full details of how to get 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 online, over the phone, or by post for PADP. Full details can be found here.
What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age?
If you are thinking about applying for Attendance Allowance when you reach State Pension age, you might be better off claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) straight away - you may be able to get more money.
If you live in Scotland, you should apply for Adult Disability Payment - find out more here.
Who cannot claim Attendance Allowance?
You won't be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to pay for your care. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while getting DLA, the DWP will usually reassess your DLA award instead.
You can renew your PIP or DLA when the existing award ends as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
Find out more about Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK website here.
