Thousands of country pensioners in the UK can be lacking out on extra profits via way of means of now no longer updating their advantage claims. In particular, the ones receiving Attendance Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ought to see their profits upward push via way of means of as tons as £146 consistent with month if their instances have changed.
This manual explains the details, eligibility rules, how the uplift works, and the stairs you want to take.
What Is Attendance Allowance & Who Qualifies?
Attendance Allowance is a non-means-examined advantage paid via way of means of the DWP (or applicable authority) to human beings over kingdom pension age (presently 66) who want assist with private care or supervision because of infection or disability.
Key eligibility points:
- You need to be at or past kingdom pension age (66).
- You need to want ordinary assist or supervision with private care or safety, or have a situation that calls for oversight.
- You need to commonly have wished assist for as a minimum six months, except you’re terminally ill—wherein case you could qualify immediately.
- Your earnings or financial savings do now no longer have an effect on eligibility; they may now no longer lessen or block your claim.
- Receiving Attendance Allowance can growth entitlement to different advantages including Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Reduction.
How the £146 Monthly Increase Is Possible
Many human beings receiving Attendance Allowance are presently at the decrease rate, despite the fact that their fitness or care wishes can also additionally have worsened. If this applies, they could ask the DWP to study their circumstances. This can also additionally bring about shifting to the better rate, main to a tremendous growth in payments.
Also read: PIP Weekly Payments May Rise to £194 Under New DWP Proposal
Current (2025/26) Rates
| Rate Category | Weekly Amount | Monthly Equivalent* |
|---|---|---|
| Lower rate | £73.90 | ~ £295.60 |
| Higher rate | £110.40 | ~ £441.60 |
| Difference | — | ~ £146.00 increase |
Monthly equal proven on a four-weekly basis (four × weekly rate).
For example, a pensioner at the decrease rate (£73.90/week) presently gets about £295.60 each four weeks. If upgraded to the better rate (£110.40/week), they could receive £441.60 each four weeks—a advantage of £146.
Circumstances You Must Report to DWP
To qualify for a overview and viable uplift, you have to tell the DWP if there was a extrude for your circumstances. The DWP lists 9 conditions which could have an effect on Attendance Allowance entitlement:
- Your stage of care wishes has increased.
- You cross into medical institution or a care home (dates, address, and investment have to be reported).
- A scientific expert states you could have 365 days or much less to live.
- You depart the United Kingdom for greater than 4 weeks.
- You visit prison.
- You extrade your name, address, or financial institution information.
- You want to prevent receiving the benefit.
- Your doctor’s information extrade.
- Your immigration popularity changes (in case you aren’t a British citizen).
Important caution: A overview could, in uncommon cases, cause a discount for your benefit. It is sensible to are seeking for recommendation earlier than soliciting for one.
Steps to Claim or Request a Review
- Obtain the Attendance Allowance shape with the aid of using calling 0800 731 0122 (textphone: 0800 731 0317).
- Complete the shape with precise causes of the assist you need, how often, and at what instances of day.
- If your circumstance or care wishes have worsened, give an explanation for this genuinely at the shape or in a protecting letter and request a evaluate.
- Submit assisting clinical evidence (e.g. GP or representative letters, care plans, prescription lists).
- The DWP will examine your declare—if necessary, they’ll invite you to wait a clinical assessment.
- Wait for the choice letter—if the better charge is granted, the boom is generally backdated to the date the declare or evaluate request turned into made (furnished office work turned into submitted on time).
Additional Benefits & Impacts
- Attendance Allowance does now no longer have an effect on your State Pension or different non-means-examined blessings.
- It can, however, boom entitlement to means-examined blessings along with Pension Credit or Housing Benefit.
- In Scotland, Attendance Allowance is being changed with the aid of using the Pension Age Disability Payment for brand new claims from April 2025. Existing claimants could be routinely transferred.
Also read: DWP’s £562 State Pension Boost May Backfire on Retirees
FAQs
Q1. What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a advantage for human beings over State Pension age who want assist with non-public care or supervision because of contamination or disability. It is paid with the aid of using the DWP and isn’t means-examined, so financial savings or earnings do now no longer have an effect on it.
Q2. Can my Attendance Allowance be decreased if I ask for a review?
Yes, in uncommon cases. If the DWP reveals your care desires have decreased, your advantage might be lowered. Always are seeking for recommendation earlier than asking for a review.
Q3. Does Attendance Allowance have an effect on my State Pension?
No. It does now no longer lessen or update your State Pension.
Q4. Can Attendance Allowance growth my different blessings?
Yes. It may also growth means-examined blessings inclusive of Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Reduction.