The money saving expert has shared advice in his weekly newsletter
Money saving expert Martin Lewis(Image: ITV)
Martin Lewis is urging pensioners to check if they could be entitled to thousands of pounds every year. The Money saving expert helps people save on car insurance, credit cards, mortgages, bills and more.
He even launched an Attendance Allowance guide to help raise awareness of the payment that he describes as “massively underclaimed”. Martin believes there are potentially one million people in the UK missing out, that could be claiming the allowance.
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability or health condition severe enough that you need someone to help look after you.
It’s paid at 2 different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability or health condition.
You could get £73.90 or £110.40 a week to help with personal support if both of the following apply:
- you have a physical disability, a mental disability, or a health condition
- you’re State Pension age or older
You could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you get Attendance Allowance. However, it cannot be claimed if the individual is already receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
The allowance is designated for pensioners aged 66 and over, the benefit is administered by the Department for Work and pensions (DWP).
Eligibility is not dependent on income or savings, meaning anyone who qualifies will receive the payment regardless of their financial circumstances.
In his latest Money Saving Expert newsletter, Martin said: “For many older people who are ill or start to face mental or physical disability, life doesn’t just get tougher, it gets costlier too.
“That’s why 18 months ago we launched our Attendance Allowance guide and awareness campaign, and successes have flooded in since. Yet it remains massively underclaimed.”
A wide range of common health conditions could qualify a person for Attendance Allowance, including arthritis, blindness, heart disease, Parkinson’s, and asthma.
To qualify for the lower rate, frequent supervision or attention is needed during the day or night. The higher rate applies if this is required both day and night, or if the individual is nearing the end of their life.
You can apply for Attendance Allowance online or by post.
To apply, you’ll need:
- your National Insurance number
- your address and contact details
- details of the disability or health condition that you need extra help for
- details of your GP surgery or medical centre
- details of your care home, hospital or hospice if you’re currently staying in one