Financial guru Martin Lewis has issued a renewed appeal for eligible pensioners to check if they could be entitled to thousands of pounds annually through an “underclaimed” government benefit.

Attendance Allowance is intended for pensioners aged 66 and over who have a disability or health condition severe enough to necessitate regular help.

Administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the benefit offers two rates, potentially providing an additional £3,842.80 or £5,644 each year and it is not means tested.

Importantly, eligibility is not based on income or savings, meaning anyone who qualifies will receive the payment regardless of their financial situation.

In his latest Money Saving Expert newsletter, Mr Lewis wrote: “For many older people who are ill or start to face mental or physical disability, life doesn’t just get tougher, it gets costlier too. Add to that the fact people’s conditions can make it more difficult to spend the time and energy needed to research possible help. That’s why 18 months ago we launched our Attendance Allowance (AA) guide and awareness campaign, and successes have flooded in since. Yet it still remains massively underclaimed, with potentially a million eligible pensioners missing out (source: Policy in Practice).

“So whether it’s you or someone close to you who may qualify, take 2mins to read what the team and I have put below, starting with some inspiration on the domino effect Attendance Allowance can have (in this case for lower-income pensioners).”

He further noted that an estimated 1.1 million eligible pensioners are missing out on the benefit, according to figures from Policy in Practice, indicating that greater awareness is needed.

A variety of common health conditions could qualify a person for Attendance Allowance, including arthritis, blindness, heart disease, Parkinson’s, and asthma.

The two payment rates depend on the level of care required. The higher rate is worth £110.40 a week, while the lower rate provides £73.90.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) states that the benefit is designed to assist with care costs, but recipients are free to use the money as they see fit.

MSE follower Dawn sent her experiences in: “Dear Martin, after watching numerous shows I have successfully claimed Attendance Allowance for both of my parents worth £10,598/yr and Pension Credit worth £1,233/yr. This opened doorways to Housing Benefit worth £9,207/yr, Council Tax reduction of £1,534/yr, a free TV licence saving £169/yr and swapping their phone to BT saving £420/yr. They also received rebates of £3,449 for Housing Benefit and £604 for Council Tax. All in all, they are better off by more than £20,000/yr thanks to you and obviously me for completing the necessary applications! Thank you for everything you do.”

How to claim Attendance Allowance.

To qualify for Attendance Allowance, applicants must have reached the state pension age, currently set at 66. The benefit can be claimed regardless of whether the individual is receiving state pension payments, has savings, or is still earning a regular income.

The application form is comprehensive, but support is available from charities such as Citizens Advice and Age UK, who offer assistance with the process and provide tips for online applications.

To be eligible, an applicant must have a physical disability, mental disability, or health condition severe enough to require help for their own safety or someone else’s, and this assistance must have been needed for at least the past six months.

To qualify for the lower rate, frequent supervision or attention is needed during the day or night. The higher rate applies if this is required both day and night, or if the individual is nearing the end of their life.

Applicants must also be in Great Britain when they make their claim, and have been in the country for at least two of the last three years.

Decisions are typically made by DWP agents based on the information provided in the form, making it crucial to include all relevant details, such as a national insurance number, NHS number, prescription and hospital records.

This means most applicants will not need to undergo an in-person assessment, although it is possible.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) states that if it’s unclear how your disability or health condition affects you, a medical professional will conduct an examination. It’s crucial to remember that you cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you’re already receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

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