Martin Lewis has urged UK households to come forward for a free £434 a month – which isn’t even means-tested. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)’s Attendance Allowance benefit could give you up to £108.55 per week or £434 a month.
Money Saving Expert founder Martin, aged 52, has issued an update to state pensioners who could be owed the benefit, because it’s not means-tested, and could give them a total of £5,644 per year which will be going up again from April 1.
Attendance Allowance is extra money if you have a long-term physical or mental condition or disability. It doesn’t matter what your condition is – what matters is how it affects you. If you’ve reached State Pension age and need help with personal care, or need support to check you’re ok, you may be eligible.
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Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested, so it doesn’t matter what your income or savings are. You can get Attendance Allowance even if you’re working or studying. If you’re awarded Attendance Allowance, you can spend it on whatever you want that makes life easier. You don’t have to spend it on paying for care. However, your local council or trust can take Attendance Allowance into account when working out how much you need to pay for care services.
Replying to the MSE founder, one reader said: “I applied for Attendance Allowance for my husband and today the first payment was made (even before a letter arrived telling us!). He’s entitled to the upper limit, which is even more than we could’ve hoped for.”
Getting Attendance Allowance won’t reduce your other benefits. In fact, it could even increase them. If you have a carer, claiming Attendance Allowance may help them qualify for benefits such as Carer’s Allowance. You and/or your carer may be entitled to other extra help too. If you’re a carer, with a long-term condition or disability, you can claim Attendance Allowance for yourself and it won’t affect any Carer’s Allowance you may be receiving.
The MSE fan went on and added: “At the same time, I optimistically applied for a blue badge for him too and again, confirmation of this being approved arrived today! Without the advice on the MSE email we would not have even been aware of being eligible. THANK YOU MSE team.”