Attendance Allowance for pensioners: don’t miss out!
Did you know that up to 1.1 million pensioners are missing out on a government benefit worth up to £5,645 a year?
If you or a loved one are aged 66 or older and need help with daily living due to illness or disability, it's time to explore Attendance Allowance – a little-known benefit that I came across recently via People's Chancellor Martin Lewis.
The reason it’s so overlooked is that many people assume they won’t be eligible, or they don’t think of themselves as needing ‘help’. Perhaps friends and family support them without anyone realising that in many ways, they are providing a traditional form of ‘care’.
I recently introduced it to my parents, who combined have conditions ranging from sight loss to hearing impairment, mild cognitive issues, and reduced mobility. They’d consider this just old age. I take them to medical appointments, assist with forms and banking, cut the grass and generally help out a bit. Nothing I’d consider above and beyond. Both parents qualified and now receive over £180 a week combined, tax-free and non-means tested. Significant. That’s nearly ten grand a year.
So is this something you or a loved one could be benefiting from? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a benefit designed for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of an illness or disability. This support comes in two different weekly rates, and the amount you receive depends on the level of help you need.
The beauty of Attendance Allowance is its flexibility. The funds you receive don’t have to be spent directly on your care. Many use the money to cover other costs, such as paying bills or taxis. My mum recently used her payments to purchase a walking aid – something she’d never dreamed of doing before, but which has significantly improved her quality of life. They can engage the help of a cleaner and a decorator to improve their environment without feeling guilty for leaning on me.
How much can you receive?
From April 2024 to April 2025, the rates for Attendance Allowance are as follows:
Lower rate: £72.65 per week for those who need help during the day or night.
Higher rate: £108.55 per week for those who need help during the day and night or who are terminally ill.
This benefit is non-taxable and not means-tested, meaning your income or savings don’t matter.
Eligibility criteria
To qualify for Attendance Allowance, you must meet the following criteria:
Be over State Pension age.
Have a disability or physical/mental illness, including sight or hearing impairments and conditions such as dementia.
Require help with personal care (e.g., washing or dressing) or need supervision to stay safe.
Have needed help for at least six months (this does not apply if you are terminally ill).
Crucial support for the ‘sandwich generation’
It’s not just pensioners that could benefit from this allowance. People (like me!) in their 50s often belong to the 'sandwich generation' meaning that we’re caught in the middle between our children and parents – both of whom we often still support.
For example, the number of families in England and Wales with adult children living with their parents has risen by 13.6% since 2011, according to the 2021 census. And as life expectancy increases, many people will have parents who are still around, but are more likely to develop disabilities and need help in later life.
These pressures can be huge – whether they’re financial, physical, emotional, or all three.
Attendance Allowance is therefore a great way to bridge the gap, providing essential support for those caring for elderly parents, and easing the financial - and emotional - burden.
How to claim
To claim Attendance Allowance, you need to fill out a specific form. You can get this form by:
Calling the Attendance Allowance helpline at 0800 731 0122.
Downloading the claim form from the official government website.
It’s better to phone up and request the form because the date of your application will start from then and payments will be backdated.
The form requires quite a lot of detail about how your illness or disability affects your daily life. They also ask for any supporting documents such as GP letters, care plans, or prescription lists.
Alternatively, you can seek help from organisations such as Age UK, as I did. They played a vital role by visiting my parents at home, assisting with the paperwork, and following up on the claim, all at no cost. (Although we subsequently provided a donation to help their work to continue.)
In summary then, while longevity can of course be great – who doesn’t want to live to 100?! - it may entail increasing caregiving. Attendance Allowance could provide a much-needed financial boost.
If you or someone you know might benefit from this allowance, please don't wait. Check your eligibility and take advantage of it today. If you’ve applied before, why not reapply as circumstances change. Share this article with others and ensure that no one misses out on the benefits they deserve.