Finance guru, Martin Lewis has issued a warning that millions of state pensioners might be missing out on a financial assistance valued between £3,778 and £7,956 a year.
The benefit payment, which happens to be non-means tested, grants a substantial sum to state pensioners who struggle with their daily expenses.
Martin Lewis Explains Attendance Allowance Benefits and Qualifications
The money mastermind explains that you don't need to meet a specific list of requirements to get the payment, however he clarified that it could include any physical or mental disability or illness as long as it affects your daily life.
If you needed assistance for a minimum of six consecutive months to accomplish routine tasks that include, eating, washing or dressing, or you required supervision with these same tasks, you could qualify for the benefit payment.
The money is usually provided to anyone with, dementia, Parkinson's, blindness, terminal illness, learning disabilities and many more.
Martin Lewis detailed in his MSE newsletter: “Basic Attendance Allowance is worth £73 a week — that's £3,778 a year. There are two rates of AA:
- Need help during the day OR night? You get the lower rate of £73/wk (£3,778/yr).
- Need help during BOTH the day and night? You get the higher rate of £109/wk (£5,644/yr).
- Have less than 12 months to live? You get the higher rate of £109/wk (£5,644/yr).”
How to Increase Your Benefit Payments
If you get Attendance Allowance, this could also increase your Pension Credit payment, resulting in extra financial support, as well as a council tax reduction or additional housing benefit.
A man reached out to Martin claiming that his mother-in-law had her Pension Credit reassessed due to a severe disability. The reassessment led to a £36 a weekly increase, a £1,010 back payment, £73 per week for Attendance Allowance and an additional £727 back payment resulting in a total increase of £7,956.
You could be eligible for weekly payments amounting to either £72.65 or £108.55 to provide support if you:
- Have a physical or mental disabilities.
- Are of State Pension age or older.
Gov.UK clarifies: “It’s paid at 2 different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.
“It does not cover mobility needs.
“You could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you get Attendance Allowance.
“You do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim.”