The DWP warns that 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
Pensioners claiming Attendance Allowance must report certain changes to the DWP(Image: Getty Images/E+)
Attendance Allowance helps pensioners with extra costs if they have a disability or health condition severe enough that they need someone to help look after them. But there are certain rules claimants must adhere to or risk a fine.
This benefit, delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions, is paid at two different rates. How much you get depends on the level of care 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 and you’re State Pension age or older. It does not cover mobility needs. The reminder about Attendance Allowance comes as pensioners were warned of the risk of losing Pension Credit due to an “unfair” savings rule.
The DWP makes it clear that people who receive Attendance Allowance must report certain changes to the department. It says: “If your circumstances change, the amount you get from Attendance Allowance may go up or down.”
It further warns: “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.” Below is a list of things that must be declared to the DWP.
What you must report to the DWP
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
- 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
- a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live (you could get Attendance Allowance at a higher rate under ‘special rules for end of life’)
- you plan to leave the country for more than 4 weeks
- you go into prison
- you change your name, address or bank details
- you want to stop receiving your benefit
- your doctor’s details change
- your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen
The Attendance Allowance helpline is 0800 731 0122. It operates from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
What happens if you’ve been paid too much
According to the Government website, you may have to repay the money if you:
- did not report a change straight away
- gave wrong information
- were overpaid by mistake
Who is eligible for Attendance Allowance
You can get Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached State Pension age and the following apply:
- you have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or a health condition
- your disability or health condition is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
- you have needed that help for at least 6 months
You must also:
- be in Great Britain when you claim – there are some exceptions, such as members and family members of the armed forces
- have been in Great Britain for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
- be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands
- not be subject to immigration control (unless you’re a sponsored immigrant)
- not get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP) or Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA)
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