I’m £5,600 a year better off claiming a little-known benefit after Martin Lewis tip – 1million are still missing out

A MARTIN Lewis fan has shared how they’re £5,600 better off after following his advice.

It comes as the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) warned that 1.1million pensioners are missing out on attendance allowance.

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Martin Lewis said in the latest MSE newsletter: “1.1million pensioners miss out on at least £3,778 a year.

“This is a non-means-tested benefit giving a fixed payout of either £3,778 a year or £5,644 a year to cover some of the costs of providing help for those who need it.

Those who’ve needed help over six months, day or night, with daily living (such as washing and eating) or supervision (someone to watch you if you’re a danger to yourself or others) are most likely to be missing out.

“It’s common for those with Parkinson’s, dementia, terminal illness, blindness, learning difficulties and more,” added Martin.

MSE fan Patricia discovered that her husband was eligible for the help and is now £5,644 a year better off after applying.

She said: “My husband has inoperable cancer, which has spread. I help him with medications and with daily tasks.

“I sent off all the letters three weeks ago, yesterday we received three weeks’ higher rate into our bank account.

“I rang the DWP helpline to see if it was an error, but they said it was correct as he has terminal cancer.

“The extra £100 a week makes a huge difference to make life easier for him!”

What is attendance allowance?

Attendance allowance helps with extra costs if you have a severe disability that requires someone to help look after you.

It’s paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.

You can get attendance allowance as long as you’ve reached state pension age (66) and the following applies:

• You have a physical or mental disability or both
• Your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself
• You have needed that help for at least six months (unless you’re terminally ill)

There are 56 categories of medical conditions you can claim with, including heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes.

You are also entitled if a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live.

The lower rate is worth £72.65 a week, while the higher rate is £108.55 a week.

If you receive the lower rate, you are entitled to frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night.

At a higher rate, you will get help or supervision throughout the day and night.

How do I apply?

To apply, you must download the attendance allowance form by visiting www.gov.uk/government/publications/attendance-allowance-claim-form.

Once completed, you should send this to Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance.

If you cannot print the form yourself, you can call the attendance allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 and ask for a copy to be sent to you.

When will I be paid?

If you’re awarded attendance allowance, it can be paid from the start of your claim. It cannot be backdated.

If you print and post the form, your claim will start on the date the DWP receives it.

If you call the helpline to request a form, your claim will start on the date of your call (if you return the form within six weeks).

After you’ve applied, you’ll get a text or letter within three weeks that explains how long it’ll take to get a decision.

Once the decision has been made, you’ll get a letter explaining the outcome.

If you’ve been awarded attendance allowance, this will tell you when you’ll get your first payment.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk