Attendance Allowance rules older people should know or monthly DWP payments could stop

Summary

Nearly 1.7 million State Pensioners receive either 73.90 or 110.40 each week on the non-means tested benefit from the DWP.

Source: Daily Record

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Q1: What is the purpose of the Attendance Allowance in the UK?

A1: Attendance Allowance is a non-contributory benefit paid to elderly disabled people in the UK to support those who live independently but might otherwise need residential care. It addresses the need for help or supervision due to difficulties with bodily functions, excluding tasks like cooking or shopping.

Q2: How does one qualify for the Attendance Allowance benefit?

A2: To qualify for Attendance Allowance, a claimant must demonstrate the need for help with bodily functions or require continual supervision. The necessity for aid must be frequent throughout the day or involve prolonged or repeated attention during the night.

Q3: How is the Attendance Allowance different from other benefits like Disability Living Allowance?

A3: Attendance Allowance is specifically for elderly disabled individuals who need support to live independently, whereas Disability Living Allowance integrates both Mobility Allowance and Attendance Allowance and is intended for people under 65.

Q4: What was the estimated cost and recipient count of the Attendance Allowance in 2015?

A4: In 2015, the cost of the Attendance Allowance was approximately £5 billion, with around 1.5 million people receiving the benefit.

Q5: What are the potential consequences of not adhering to Attendance Allowance rules?

A5: Failure to adhere to the rules of the Attendance Allowance, such as not adequately demonstrating the need for help or supervision, could result in the cessation of the monthly payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Q6: How do local authorities' social care assessments relate to Attendance Allowance?

A6: Although needs for Attendance Allowance are assessed separately, local authorities conduct their own assessments for eligibility for social care, which might have overlapping criteria but are distinct processes.

Q7: What historical legislative acts have shaped the Attendance Allowance?

A7: The Attendance Allowance was introduced through the National Insurance (Old Persons' and Widows' Pension and Attendance Allowance) Act 1970 and later integrated into the Disability Living Allowance for people under 65 by the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992.