Calculator shows whether you can claim DWP benefit worth £9,584 as thousands miss out
What is the benefit?
People receiving PIP or DLA may also be entitled to claim Attendance Allowance (AA), which is worth up to £92.40 a week and can be backdated for up to three months.
AA is a benefit for people aged 65 or over who need help with personal care, such as washing, dressing, eating or going to the toilet, and help during the night.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for AA, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be aged 65 or over
- Need help with personal care, such as washing, dressing, eating or going to the toilet
- Need help during the night
How to claim
You can claim AA by completing a claim form, which can be downloaded from the Gov.uk website or requested by calling the AA helpline on 0800 731 0122.
You will need to provide evidence of your age, identity and need for care, such as a letter from your doctor or social worker.
How much will I get?
The amount of AA you will receive depends on the level of care you need.
There are two rates of AA:
- Lower rate: £61.85 per week
- Higher rate: £92.40 per week
Backdating
You can backdate your claim for AA for up to three months from the date you submit your claim form.
This means that you could receive a lump sum payment if you are eligible for AA.
How many people are missing out?
It is estimated that around 350,000 people are missing out on AA because they are not aware of the benefit or because they do not think they are eligible.
If you think you may be eligible for AA, it is worth checking your entitlement using the benefits calculator on the Gov.uk website.
