I'm £3.5k better off claiming a little-known advantage thanks to Martin Lewis
A MARTIN Lewis fan has revealed how they are now £3.5million a year better off thanks to a little-known benefit.
The consumer champion emphasized last year that thousands of pensioners are missing out by not claiming the attendance allowance.
An attendance allowance is available to retirees to help them cover the costs of someone “caring” for them.
In December, a report from Policy in Practice found that up to 1.1 million pensioners were missing out on £3,500 a year by not making a claim.
Since then, a follower of Martin has emailed him and his team to say he is now getting an extra £68 a week after a successful claim.
Philip's email read: “Dear Martin and everyone at MSE, I'm not sure if being ill enough to qualify for an attendance allowance can be considered success, but £68 a week certainly doesn't hurt!
“Even though we stuck it out for eight months, it never occurred to my wife and I that she might qualify for help until I read about it on MSE.
“We submitted an application in mid-December and received a positive message today. Thank you, you made our lives just a little easier in difficult times.”
We explain everything you need to know about this little-known benefit, so you can make sure you don't miss anything.
What is attendance compensation?
The allowance is intended for retirees who need help with daily life.
It is not a means-tested benefit, meaning eligibility is not dependent on your income.
There are two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care you need because of your disability.
You can receive an attendance allowance if you have reached state pension age (currently 66 years) and the following applies to you.
- You have a physical or mental disability, or both
- Your disability is so severe that you need help caring for yourself
- You need this help for at least six months (unless you are terminally ill)
Even if you don't consider yourself disabled, you may still qualify if you need someone to help you on a daily basis.
To get this benefit, you must have been in Britain for at least two of the last three years, unless you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.
If you live in a care home and pay all costs yourself, you can claim an attendance allowance.
How much is the attendance fee?
The basic allowance is £68 per week, meaning you get £3,540 per year.
There are higher and lower reimbursements depending on the level of care you need. These are as follows:
- £68 per week or £3,540 per year for people who need help day or night.
- £102 per week or £5,300 per year for people who need help both day and night or have less than 12 months to live.
There are 57 categories of medical conditions you can make a claim for, but the most common are arthritis and dementia.
You can also make a claim for mental illness and learning disabilities.
It is important to note that while some benefits can be retroactive, attendance benefits cannot.
The date of your claim is the date you call and request a claim form, as long as you complete and return it within the allotted time.
If you download a claim form, this will be the date your completed claim form is received.
How to apply for an attendance allowance
If you want to claim the attendance allowance, you must download the form from the website GOV.UK website and then send it by post.
It should be sent to the address: Attendance Allowance Unit, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 2AD.
If you don't have a printer, you can call the attendance fee helpline on 0800 731 0122 and ask for a copy of it.
If you receive an attendance allowance, this can also open the door to other benefits, such as housing benefit or a reduction in council tax. So it's worth applying.
Please note that the application is very long and requires a lot of personal information.
If you think you need help completing the form, it is best to ask a friend, family member or advisor to help you complete the form, if possible.
What other benefits can I receive if I apply for an attendance allowance?
As previously mentioned, you may be entitled to additional assistance once you receive an attendance allowance.
You may be able to get help with your council tax, even if you already get a discount.
It is possible to get help with your council tax in the form of the Severe Intellectual Disability (SMI) discount.
This could mean you get a 25% or in some cases even 100% discount, meaning your council tax bill will be completely wiped out.
The 100% discount is usually available to people who live alone or live with someone with a severe intellectual disability.
You may also be able to apply for Pension Credit or Universal Credit if you live with a partner who is not yet of state pension age.