Attendance Allowance payments add £230,000 benefit to Wandsworth households

“I feel less worried about paying for things like my utility bills and food since getting my Attendance Allowance payments,” says Sylvia.

The 84-year-old has found life easier since she successfully claimed for the monthly payments.

Attendance Allowance is additional income that offers up to £5,644 a year for eligible State Pension Aged residents who need regular support.

Wandsworth Council last year wrote to older residents encouraging them to apply for the Government’s Attendance Allowance scheme.

Since then, eligible households have now claimed payments worth more than £230,000 a year and an expected £1.53m over their lifetime. 

Battersea resident Sylvia explains: “Receiving Attendance Allowance has taken a load off my mind.

“I can eat healthier, it’s helped with my utility bills and I’m not counting pennies now.

“I’d say to other people just phone up and find out if you’re entitled to it. You can only get a yes or a no. They’ll discuss everything with you.”

Eileen’s story

After a series of falls, 86-year-old Eileen was terrified to go out. 

Receiving Attendance Allowance means Eileen can afford to pay for the occasional taxi to go to appointments or to visit her family, as well as not worry about heating bills.

“It’s just made life a little bit easier, taking the worry away,” says Eileen, who lives in Tooting Bec.

Like Sylvia and Eileen, Balham resident James has found the benefit has made a difference to his daily life.

“It was a quick process and it is helpful,” says the 85-year-old. “It means I’ve been able to pay my bills more easily. It’s helped me with feeding myself better too.”

Attendance Allowance explained

Attendance Allowance is additional income that can be applied for when someone reaches State Pension Age and requires care or regular support. 

It is available to everyone of pension age who has required support with their daily activities for at least six months. Any income or savings will not affect eligibility. To be eligible, the applicant must:

• Have a disability or health condition, including mental and physical disabilities.
• That disability or health condition requires someone to help with daily activities.  

Applicants do not need to have someone caring for them in order to claim. Attendance Allowance is paid at two different rates – depending on the level of care needed. The current rates pay between £72.65 and £108.55 a week – payable every four weeks. Those who qualify for the allowance may also be eligible for additional Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction. 

Support for those who need it

Graeme Henderson, Cabinet Member for Health, explains: “Older people with care requirements deserve help with the additional costs involved. 

“Attendance Allowance is one of many benefits that are under claimed by those entitled to them. By writing to all senior citizens who may be eligible to encourage them to claim, we want to help make life a bit easier. This is just one of the measures we are taking to support those who need care and those who care for them.”

To apply for Attendance Allowance, applicants must ring the Department for Work and Pensions helpline on 0800 731 0122 to request a claim form. There is more information on how to claim on the Government’s Attendance Allowance website.

For more information about help with other household bills, employment support and help available in your local area, visit the Cost of Living Hub.

If you cannot access the internet to view the Cost of Living Hub yourself, please ask a family member or friend for help or visit your local library.