Attendance Allowance claimants are being warned they could lose access to payouts if their circumstances change. The tax-free benefit is designed to assist the elderly in covering daily living expenses, helping them remain independent within their own homes.
Yet a change in your circumstances could have serious consequences for your entitlement. Those could see you lose funds - or even be taken to court or pay a penalty.
Alternatively, a change in your situation might mean you are entitled to more money. Either way, officials at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) say it's very important that you contact them if things change.
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It comes as the department has disclosed that more than 1.6 million Brits are currently benefiting from extra financial support courtesy of Attendance Allowance as of February. People are being told to report any changes in circumstances directly to the DWP on 0800 731 0122.
The official warning from the GOV. UK website is stark. It states: "You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances."
Beneficiaries must react promptly if their situation takes a new turn by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline. Such adjustments could either bump up or slash the amount of benefit received, reports .
To avoid potential pitfalls, those in receipt of Attendance Allowance should make sure they keep the DWP updated, especially if they're uncertain about the impact of a change. When in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of caution – contact the helpline without delay if:
You must contact the Attendance Allowance helpline straight away if:
- the level of help you need or your condition changes - you’ll need to provide details like if the amount of times you need help each day has changed
- your doctor’s details change
- you want to stop receiving your benefit
- your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen
- you go into hospital or a care home - you’ll need to provide the address, the dates you’ve been there for, and how your stay is paid for
- you change your name, address or bank details
- a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live
- you plan to leave the country for more than 4 weeks
- you go into prison
- If your immigration status changes, or if you're not a British citizen.
It's important to remember that according to DWP guidelines, if your circumstances change, the amount you receive from Attendance Allowance may increase or decrease.
Reporting a change if you need more help
If you believe you need more help due to a disability or illness, you should consider contacting the DWP to report a change. This could be additional help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night - even if you do not currently get that help.
This could include assistance with personal care - such as getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet. It could also include help to stay safe.
If you're finding it increasingly difficult to complete personal tasks, such as if they take a long time, cause pain or require physical assistance like leaning on a chair, it might be worth reporting a change. However, it's important to remember that Attendance Allowance isn't just for those with physical disabilities or illnesses.
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If you need more help or supervision throughout the day or night due to a mental health condition, learning difficulties, or a sensory condition - such as being deaf or blind - you should also consider reporting a change. You can reach out to the Attendance Allowance helpline at 0800 731 0122, available from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
More information about reporting a change can be found on the GOV. UK website. Attendance Allowance offers support for more than 50 physical or mental health conditions. So even if you're already claiming for one of these, another may have developed or your current condition may have worsened.
Health issues supported by Attendance AllowanceThe allowance also extends its support to those who are terminally ill.
Depending on your needs, you could receive either £72.65 (lower rate) if you need help during the day or at night, or £108.55 (higher rate) if you need help both during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. This benefit is paid every four weeks, meaning you could receive either £290.60 or £434.20 each pay period.
The money can be spent however you wish, potentially helping you maintain independence in your own home for longer. This could cover costs like taxis, bill contributions, or hiring a cleaner or gardener. Crucially, Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested, so your other income or savings don't matter - there's no limit.
It's also tax-free and exempt from the Benefit Cap, meaning it won't affect any other benefits you receive. Plus, it won't impact your State Pension and you can even claim it if you're still working and earning money.
If you're eligible for Attendance Allowance, you might also see an increase in other benefits such as Extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit Reduction, and Council Tax Reduction. Comprehensive guidance on Attendance Allowance can be found on the
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