New analysis: People of pension age may be missing out on £5.2 billion
Zoe Charlesworth Published on 06th December 2023
Policy in Practice together with Money Saving Expert has researched how much Attendance Allowance goes unclaimed in the UK each year. This research, captured in our latest report, found that over 1.1 million pension age households in Great Britain could be missing out on £5.2 billion of Attendance Allowance per year.
Earlier this year Policy in Practice released our report, Missing out: £19 billion in support goes unclaimed each year. The staggering figures from that report received widespread coverage, including from MoneySavingExpert.com. Billions of pounds in support are going unclaimed for many reasons, one being that many people are simply unaware of their entitlements. The Missing out report offers in depth analysis into the reasons benefits go unclaimed as well as a breakdown of the support available and the figures unclaimed for each. This Attendance Allowance report follows on from that research, spotlighting the £5.2 billion unclaimed, setting out the methodology for calculating the level of unclaimed support.
Estimates of the value of unclaimed Attendance Allowance across Britain
Attendance Allowance is one of the most underclaimed benefits due to lack of awareness. Billions of pounds in unclaimed support is shocking at any time let alone during a cost of living crisis. Rising living costs together with relatively low UK pensions compared to many similar countries means that many pension age households now struggle to meet their basic outgoings. This issue is particularly acute in households in which a person has a disability and needs additional support to cope with day to day living.
What is Attendance Allowance?
This support is intended to help pension age households cope with the additional costs of disability. Attendance Allowance isn’t means tested, meaning you can qualify regardless of your income. If you are a pensioner over 66 and need someone to assist you in your daily life due to a mental or physical disability you may be eligible for this support.
An award of Attendance Allowance can be worth up to £5,306 per year. Maximising pension age income through the take up of benefits is essential to reduce harm, debt or other crises. Additional income to assist with disability can make a significant difference to those of pension age by affording adequate nutrition, warmth, and participation in society.
Attendance Allowance also acts as a passport to additional sources of support and to an increase in other benefits that the applicant may already be receiving.
Attendance Allowance’s requirement for support covers a wide range of conditions
For example, these could be:
- Needing support with personal tasks such as getting dressed, eating, moving around, or personal hygiene
- Managing personal tasks but finding these difficult to accomplish
- Supervision to stay safe
- Supervision during the day or night due to a mental health condition
- Learning difficulties
- Being blind or deaf
How do you apply for Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance claims are not backdated and start from the date of application so we advise potential claimants to make a phone claim as soon as possible. This can be done by contacting the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122.
Money Saving Expert has compiled a comprehensive Step by Step application guide.
How can I support someone who may be eligible for Attendance Allowance?
The benefits system can be complex to navigate and many people who are entitled to means tested and disability benefits may need support navigating this maze. Potential claimants may require signposting to relevant benefits and support through the claim and assessment process. There is a role for councils, frontline advice agencies and the DWP in making this happen.
- Policy in Practice works with many councils that identify eligibility for benefits and target support, primarily through Policy in Practice’s LIFT platform. We would urge councils to ensure that all pension age residents are made aware of Attendance Allowance and supported through the process
- Front line organisations, including councils, can use a reputable benefit calculator, such as Policy in Practice’s Better Off Calculator, to identify eligibility for benefits and support including Attendance Allowance
- The DWP should provide greater publicity around disability benefits and the eligibility criteria. Many potentially eligible people do not claim these benefits as they believe income and capital are taken into account
Next steps
