DWP Attendance Allowance warning to report changes or monthly £434 payments could stop
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned people claiming Attendance Allowance to report certain changes to avoid missing out on payments. The benefit is tax-free and designed to help older people with daily living expenses, reports Mirror.
This could potentially help them maintain independence in their own home for longer. However, claimants may not be aware that several changes in circumstances must be reported to the DWP's Attendance Allowance helpline as soon as possible.
These could affect entitlement or payments, reports the Daily Record. The DWP guidance on the GOV. UK website also warns: "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."
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If your circumstances change, the amount you get from Attendance Allowance may increase or decrease. You must contact the Attendance Allowance helpline straight away if:
your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen
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 want to stop receiving your benefit
you plan to leave the country for more than four weeks
you go into prison
you change your name, address or bank details
a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live
your doctor’s details change
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
If you're unsure whether a change affects your Attendance Allowance benefit, it's worth contacting the DWP to check. You can find full details on GOV.UK here.
It's important to note that the DWP guidelines state that if your circumstances change, your Attendance Allowance amount may increase or decrease. If you feel you require more assistance due to a disability or illness, it might be worth contacting the DWP to report a change.
This could be additional help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night - even if you do not currently receive that help. This could include help with personal care - such as getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering, and using the toilet - as well as help to stay safe.
You should also consider reporting a change if you are experiencing more difficulties completing personal tasks, such as they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. However, it's crucial to remember that 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 or a sensory condition - if you are deaf or blind. You can contact the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.
You could receive the lower rate of £72.65 if you need help during the day or at night or the higher rate of £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, meaning 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 and paying for a cleaner or gardener.