New research released by the National Audit Office (NAO) regarding the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed that the underpayment rate of Attendance Allowance is 4.3 per cent.
This equals approximately £230 million of underpayments. Meanwhile, around £120 million was found to be overpaid through the benefit.
The NAO has stated that the data indicated that Attendance Allowance has the lowest rate of underpayment of all benefits outside of the State Pension. It also has the highest rate of underpayment.
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As reported by the Daily Record, the research marks the first time underpayments and overpayments have been measured. With almost 124,000 older people throughout Scotland claiming the benefit worth up to £92.40 per week, the results should encourage people to check they are receiving the correct amount.
Based on the 4.3 per cent underpayment rate, up to 60,476 pensioners could potentially be missing out on approximately £3,803 each. According to the NAO, the vast majority of underpayments are due to claimant error.
Previously, the DWP has used Disability Living Allowance (DLA) as a proxy rate for Attendance Allowance. The overpayment rate of DLA was found to be 1.9 per cent, with an underpayment rate of 2.5 per cent.
This means that, up until 2022, the DWP is likely to have underestimated the gross fraud and error rate in Attendance Allowance. Claimants who think they may have been underpaid should get in touch with the Attendance Allowance helpline.
Read on for more information about Attendance Allowance, including what it is and who is eligible.
What is Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance is a DWP benefit that can help cover extra costs if you are over the State Pension age and have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you. It can help claimants remain independent in their own home for longer than they otherwise would.
You can claim the benefit regardless of whether you currently have somebody caring for you.
Who can claim?
Attendance Allowance is available to people who have a disability or health condition that is severe enough that it requires them to need supervision. For example, you might need help getting dressed, eating or drinking, bathing or showering, and going to the toilet.
You may also be eligible if you have trouble with certain everyday tasks and require help or an object such as a chair to lean on.
Importantly, it is not just for people who have a physical disability or health condition. If you need help or supervision and have a mental health condition, learning difficulties, or a sensory condition, you may be eligible.
Attendance Allowance main disabling conditions
The following list of medical conditions is not a checklist that guarantees you will be eligible for Attendance Allowance. Rather, it is meant to help you understand what kind of conditions may mean you qualify. If you are unsure, you should read the official eligibility guidance on the GOV.UK website here.
- Arthritis
- Spondylosis
- Back Pain – Other / Precise Diagnosis not Specified
- Disease of The Muscles, Bones or Joints
- Trauma to Limbs
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Heart disease
- Chest disease
- Asthma
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Peripheral vascular Disease
- Epilepsy
- Neurological Diseases
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson's Disease
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Metabolic Disease
- Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia
- Learning Difficulties
- Psychosis
- Psychoneurosis
- Personality Disorder
- Dementia
- Behavioural Disorder
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Hyperkinetic Syndrome
- Renal Disorders
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Bowel and Stomach Disease
- Blood Disorders
- Haemophilia
- Multi System Disorders
- Multiple Allergy Syndrome
- Skin Disease
- Malignant Disease
- Severely Mentally impaired
- Double Amputee
- Deaf/Blind
- Haemodialysis
- Frailty
- Total Parenteral Nutrition
- AIDS
- Infectious diseases: Viral disease - Coronavirus covid-19
- Infectious diseases: Viral disease - precise diagnosis not specified
- Infectious diseases: Bacterial disease – Tuberculosis
- Infectious diseases: Bacterial disease – precise diagnosis not specified
- Infectious diseases: Protozoal disease – Malaria
- Infectious diseases: Protozoal disease – other / precise diagnosis not specified
- Infectious diseases - other / precise diagnosis not specified
- Cognitive disorder - other / precise diagnosis not specified
- Terminally Ill
- Unknown
How much could I get on Attendance Allowance?
If you claim Attendance Allowance and need help during either the day or night, you may receive £61.85 per week. Meanwhile, if you require help or supervision both during the day and night — or are terminally ill — you could get £92.40. This amounts to £247.40 or £369.60 every four weeks.
The money can be spent however you wish, and can be used to pay for expenses such as taxis, bills, and cleaners and gardeners.
Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income?
Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, which means it does not matter how much you earn or how much savings you have when making a claim. The benefit is also tax-free and does not count towards the benefit cap.
Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension?
Claiming Attendance Allowance will not affect State Pension payments, and you can claim the benefit even if you are still in work and earning.
How do I make a claim?
In order to apply for Attendance Allowance, you will be required to complete a lengthy form. While it may seem overwhelming at first, you can get help from your nearest Citizens Advice.
You can also check out the Citizens Advice guide on how to fill in your claim form here. Further information can be located on the GOV.UK website here.
What happens if I am about to reach State Pension age?
For those who are considering applying for Attendance Allowance once they reach State Pension age may get more money by claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The amount received through PIP is determined by your individual circumstances and the extent to which your disability or health condition affects you.
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