Martin Lewis says claim free £5,644 from DWP 'which is not means tested'

Martin Lewis has urged UK households to claim over £5,000 a year from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) even if they have money. The benefit could be worth as much as £5,644 from the DWP, Mr Lewis - the BBC and ITV star - has said.

Attendance Allowance is being paid out by the DWP to those who have a disability or health condition severe enough to need someone to regularly help them. It can pay up to £108.55 a week, adding up to an total of £5,644 and is not means-tested.

That means anyone who qualifies will get it regardless of their income or savings. “If you think you’re entitled to attendance allowance, you should push through," Mr Lewis said, because as many as 1.1 million eligible pensioners are missing out on the benefit.

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“This is for disabled or ill state pensioners,” he says, adding: “it could be you, or it could be someone you know.” The benefit is worth between £72.65 or £108.55 a week and can help with extra costs if you have a disability or health condition, including mental health conditions.

The benefit is paid out to those over state pension age and has two different rates - you will get the lower rate if you need frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or at night. The higher rate is paid out if you need help or supervision during the day and night or if your doctor has said you are nearing the end of your life.

If you get constant attendance allowance at the same time, your attendance allowance will be reduced by the amount of the benefit you alaredy get Constant attendance allowance is paid out to those claiming the industrial injuries disablement benefit (IIDB) or a War Disablement Pension and need daily care and attention because of a disability.

If you are coming up to state pension age or younger and in ill health and no longer able to work, you may also be able to get some or all of your pension early. How much you can withdraw and how that money is taxed will depend what type of pension you have and how unwell you are.