If you are over 66 and live in the UK, you might be missing out on a tax-free benefit worth over £400 every single month. The Department for Work and Pensions is now processing Attendance Allowance claims faster.
The average wait time is dropping to just 10 working days. This is an improvement from the previous 6 to 8 week delays. Attendance Allowance pays up to £434.20 every 4 weeks, and it is completely tax-free. You do not pay any National Insurance contributions from it, and it does not affect your State Pension either.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit paid to people of State Pension age who struggle with their health. It was created to cover the extra costs that come with illness or disability.
It does not matter how much you have in savings, how much your private pension pays, or if you own your home outright. You will still get the full amount, with no deductions and no conditions on how you spend it. It covers all physical and mental health conditions equally, with no preference given to any type of illness.
Many people also do not know that a successful claim can also make you eligible for disability benefits loans from regulated direct lenders. You can get it at much lower rates than standard personal loans. You will not see this mentioned anywhere in official government guidance.
- You do not have to already be receiving care to qualify
- You do not need to have a carer at all
- You can spend the money on absolutely anything you want
The New 10-Day Processing Time
You are expected to wait for 6 to 8 weeks for a decision. The DWP has rolled out a full new processing system for all new Attendance Allowance claims, and the current average turnaround is now 10 working days from the day they receive your form. This is the fastest this benefit has ever been processed in its 52-year history.
Once your claim is approved, the money is paid straight into your bank account, and it is always backdated to the exact date you first started your claim. Even if it takes the full 10 days, you will not lose a single penny you are owed.
You can also apply for loans if needed in the meantime. Many direct lenders provide disability benefits loans. They can credit the loan money before the first payment of the benefits. They will just check all the criteria and then approve the loan amount.
Who Can Claim This Benefit?
You should be 66 years and above and should be living either in England, Scotland or Wales. You have had to receive assistance with personal care or safety for at least six months. This six-month rule is removed if you are terminally ill.
Many people assume this benefit is only for physical disabilities. It talks about all the individual kinds of health conditions, physical or mental. This covers dementia, anxiety, depression, PTSD, autism and any other disorder that can be considered hard to cope with in everyday life.
You are not required to be formally diagnosed to claim, but it can aid in hastening your decision. The claims for people with a terminal diagnosis are given top priority and are almost always processed within 2 working days.
Conditions That Qualify for Attendance Allowance
- Musculoskeletal Conditions
- Neurological Conditions
- Respiratory Conditions
- Cardiovascular Conditions
- Cancer
- Sensory Impairments
- Mental Health Conditions
- Kidney & Liver Conditions
- Diabetes Complications
- Learning Disabilities
- Other Chronic Conditions
The Two Payment Rates
Attendance Allowance has only two payment rates; there are no other tiers or exceptions.
Lower Rates
The lower rate is currently £72.65 per week. You are eligible for this rate if you require frequent assistance or care during the night or day. Someone has to check on you and ensure that you are safe, or someone has to remind you to take medication properly.
Higher Rates
The higher rate is currently £108.55 per week. You qualify for this rate if you need that help or supervision throughout the day. You will automatically get the higher rate if you have been diagnosed as terminally ill, with no exceptions or further assessment.
How to Make a Claim?
There are only three valid ways to start an Attendance Allowance claim.
- Step 1: Call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122. This is the fastest way to start your claim. Your claim date will be the date of this phone call, not the date you send back the form.
- Step 2: Ask them to send you a claim form in the post. You can also download it yourself from the GOV.UK, but calling is still better because it locks in your claim date earlier.
- Step 3: Fill in every single section of the form. Do not leave any boxes blank. When they inquire about your troubles, relate what you do on a bad day and not on a good day.
- Step 4: Attach any supporting medical evidence you have. This can be a letter from your GP, consultant or district nurse. You do not have to pay for this letter.
- Step 5: Post the completed form back to the address on the form. Send it recorded delivery, and keep a full copy of every single page before you send it.
Additional Benefits of Claiming
You can become eligible for a full top-up to your Pension Credit, even if you were turned down for Pension Credit before. You can get between 25% and 100% reduction on your Council Tax. You can get an extra top-up to your Housing Benefit if you rent.
If someone looks after you for 35 hours or more a week, they will now be able to claim Carer’s Allowance. You will also automatically meet the eligibility criteria for a Blue Badge. These extra benefits will not reduce the amount of Attendance Allowance you get.
If Your Claim is Rejected
You do not have to accept it if you get a rejection letter. First, you need to request a Mandatory Reconsideration. You have exactly one calendar month from the date on the rejection letter to do this. Most people who appeal and provide a little bit more information get their decision overturned.
You do not have to go through this process alone. Citizens Advice will help you put together your appeal completely free of charge. Age UK also have trained staff who will help you fill in all the paperwork and even attend any appointments with you.
- You will not have to attend an assessment for most appeals
- Your claim can be backdated all the way to your original application date
- You can make a new claim at any point in the future, even if your appeal fails
Conclusion
You now have all the facts about Attendance Allowance. The 10-day processing time means you could have money in your account within weeks, not months. If you qualify, it pays over £400 every 4 weeks, tax-free, and it will not affect any of your other benefits.
