DWP Attendance Allowance list of circumstances that could stop £434 payment

15 May 2024 , 11:05

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You might be eligible for Attendance Allowance if you need extra help (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for older Brits that is designed to help with extra costs if you have someone looking after you.

You could receive £72.65 if you need help during the day or at night, or £108.55 if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks , which means you could receive either £290.60 or £434.20 every pay period. You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer.

This might include paying for taxis, helping towards bills or paying for a cleaner or gardener. The benefit is provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and it is important to notify the Government of any changes in your circumstances. Failing to do so could see your benefits stopped.

The GOV.UK website reads: "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."

If you're uncertain whether a change impacts your Attendance Allowance benefit, it is worth reaching out to the DWP for clarification. It is also crucial to note that if your circumstances do change, the amount you receive from Attendance Allowance may increase or decrease.

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Report a change in circumstances

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 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

Reporting a change if you need more help

You should consider contacting the DWP to report a change if you feel you need more help for a disability or illness. 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:

Help with your personal care - for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet
Help to stay safe

You should also consider reporting a change if you are experiencing more difficulties completing personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. But remember, Attendance Allowance is not just for people with a physical disability or illness.

You should also consider reporting a change if you need more help or supervision throughout the day or night and have:

a mental health condition
learning difficulties
a sensory condition - if you are deaf or blind
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You can contact the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. Full details about reporting a change can be found on the GOV.UK website here. The most common condition claimed on Attendance Allowance is arthritis (29%) with some 416,313 people receiving support for it.

However, there are more than 50 conditions being supported by Attendance Allowance and even if you’re already claiming for one of these, another may have developed or your current condition may have become more debilitating.