Martin Lewis warns a million people are missing out on £3,800 DWP cash

More than a cardinal radical could beryllium missing retired connected a payment worthy astatine slightest '£3,800 per year', Martin Lewis has warned. The perk, issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), isn't 'means-tested' either, which means that your income, capital, savings and investments aren't considered erstwhile it is awarded.

Writing successful his MoneySavingExpert (MSE) newsletter conscionable this week, the fiscal guru explained: "Roughly a twelvemonth ago, we launched our Attendance Allowance (AA) usher and consciousness campaign, and successes person flooded successful since. Yet it inactive remains massively underclaimed, and the hazard is up to 1.1 cardinal eligible pensioners miss out, according to Policy successful Practice's 2023 calculations."

Attendance Allowance is fiscal assistance for individuals who person reached State Pension property and are surviving with semipermanent carnal oregon intelligence wellness conditions oregon disabilities. Qualifying Brits mostly person a information 'severe enough' to request attraction oregon superivison from idiosyncratic else, and volition person been receiving that assistance for 'at slightest six months', according to the DWP.

Martin besides clarified that its minimum complaint is '£73 a week' oregon £3,778 per year', portion higher rates tin reportedly scope '£109 a week' oregon '£5,644 per year'. However, if you are nearing the extremity of your life, the DWP states that 'you mightiness beryllium capable to get Attendance Allowance much rapidly and astatine a higher rate'.

Current section proposal adds: "You’ll lone request to be an appraisal to cheque your eligibility if it’s unclear however your disablement oregon wellness information affects you. If you bash request an appraisal you’ll get a missive saying wherefore and wherever you indispensable go. During the assessment, a aesculapian nonrecreational volition request to analyse you."

To assertion Attendance Allowance, you'll request your National Insurance fig successful summation to respective much details astir your surviving concern and condition. These include the following:

• Your code and interaction details.
• Details of the disablement oregon wellness information that you request other assistance for.
• Details of your GP country oregon aesculapian centre.
• Details of your attraction home, infirmary oregon hospice if you’re presently staying successful one.

Applications tin beryllium submitted online oregon by post, with the DWP typically past sending a reply wrong 3 weeks astir erstwhile you tin expect a decision. Once this determination is made, you'll past person further correspondence astir what this means.

Crucially, Martin Lewis warned that you whitethorn beryllium ineligible to person Attendance Allowance, if you're presently receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) oregon Disability Living Allowance.

The DWP continues: "If you’re awarded Attendance Allowance, the determination missive volition archer you erstwhile you’ll get your archetypal payment. If you use online, your assertion volition commencement connected the day you marque your claim.

"If you people and station the form, your assertion volition commencement connected the day the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) receives it. If you telephone the helpline to get a form, your assertion volition commencement connected the day of your telephone (if you instrumentality the signifier wrong 6 weeks)."

For much information, sojourn the DWP's website.