MARTIN Lewis has warned 1.1million Brits are missing out on a free £102 a week.
The MoneySavingExpert told the nation “the sooner you get on with it the sooner you get paid” when it comes to pocketing the cash.
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Anyone who claims a state pension and also happens to be ill or disabled could receive the money as part of an attendance allowance.
On Tuesday’s series finale of the Martin Lewis Money Show, Martin explained that the funds were there to take the pressure of those paying for help.
But not all of them are aware they could be getting support.
He said: “There’s possibly £3,500 for disabled or ill state pensioners.
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“So up to 1.1million of them are missing out on Attendance Allowance.
“This helps cover costs of those who need assistance, even if you’re not getting assistance.”
The help is not means-tested so if you’re not on a low income, you may still be entitled to it.
The lower rate available to those who need it is £68 per week which is £3,540 a year.
Martin explained that this is for someone who needs help during the day or the night only – not both.
Whereas, if you need help during the day and the night, you could be entitled to the higher rate of £102 per week, which works out at £5,300 for the year.
Sadly, if you only have one year left to live, you can get the higher amount per week.
He also explained tonight that every Brit could save thousands of pounds by carrying out a three-second check.
The expert urged everyone who has regular and recurring payments leaving their account to double check them.
He said payments “drip out of our accounts” and most of the time we don’t even realise – which is handy for bills but not all transactions.
Requirements for cash entitlement
In order to receive the weekly payments, you must have:
- Needed help or supervision for six consecutive months
- Have help with daily living
- Need supervision to ensure you’re not a danger to yourself or others
But sometimes, outgoing payments could hit a fault and if you’re not checking you could be losing out massively.
Martin said: “The thing about regular payments is that we spend our money but we don’t do it consciously.
“It happens behind our backs, but if you don’t check them regularly, millions of people are paying for stuff they don’t want and stuff they don’t need.”
What is attendance allowance?
Attendance allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you.
It’s paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.
You can get attendance allowance as long as you’ve reached state pension age (66) and the following applies:
- You have a physical or mental disability or both
- Your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself
- You have needed that help for at least six months (unless you’re terminally ill)
There are 56 categories of medical conditions you can claim with, including heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes.
You are also entitled if a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live.
The lower rate is worth £68.10 a week or £3,551 a year, while the higher rate comes in at £101.75 a week or £5,306 as year.
If you receive the lower rate, you are entitled to frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night.
On the higher rate, you will get help or supervision throughout the day and night.
To apply, you’ll need to download the attendance allowance form on the Gov.UK website and then send it by post.
It should be sent to the following address: Attendance Allowance Unit, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 2AD.
If you’re unable to print the form yourself, you can call the attendance allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 and ask for a copy to be sent to you.
Payments will rise in April
Benefit payments will rise by 6.7% from April, in line with the consumer price index (CPI) level of inflation for September 2023.
But remember, the exact amount your payments will rise by will depend on the type of benefits you’re on as well as your financial circumstances.
The higher and lower rate of attendance allowance will rise on April 8.
The higher rate will rise from £101.75 to £108.55, while the lower rate will also go up from £68.10 to £72.65.
We’ve previously listed all the new benefit rates ahead of the April 2024 rise.
