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Elderly people are being encouraged to check if they qualify for Attendance Allowance as pensioners with certain health conditions could be eligible for over £5,700 in additional support from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). This benefit is not means-tested and offers either £73.90 or £110.40 a week, depending on your care needs and you need to be of state pension age to apply. The scheme is designed to help cover the extra costs associated with a disability or health condition where you need help from someone else. Payments are typically made every four weeks, meaning recipients receive either £295.60 or £441.60 each pay period. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here This equates to up to £5,740.80 annually, or £478.40 monthly. The benefit aims to support people who live with either disabilities, chronic illnesses, or mental or physical health issues. You do not need to have a carer in order to make a claim, reports the Mirror . A wide range of health conditions are covered by Attendance Allowance, with arthritis being the most common disabling condition - a term used by the DWP. Previous DWP figures showed these were some of the most common 48 conditions: If you're living with a disability or illness and require assistance or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night - even if you're not currently receiving that help - you might want to consider applying for Attendance Allowance. This could include needing help with personal care, such as getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and using the toilet. You might also want to apply if you struggle with personal tasks, for instance, if they take you a long time, cause you discomfort, or if you need physical support, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn't just available for people with a physical disability or illness. You could also claim if you have a mental health condition, learning difficulties, or a sensory condition, such as if you are deaf or visually impaired, and you need extra help. Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested, so your other income or savings won't affect it. It is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the benefit cap, meaning you won't have money deducted from any other benefits if you claim. It won't impact your state pension entitlement and you can even claim it if you're still employed and earning money in this way. Claiming Attendance Allowance could also potentially increase your Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction. To find out if this is the case, you can ring the helpline or office that handles whichever of these benefits you're claiming.
