State Pensioners Born Before 1959 Urged To Claim Free £441 — No Matter Your Income Or Savings

State pensioners born before 1959 are being urged to claim an extra £441 per month through Attendance Allowance, a means-tested-free benefit offered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

It doesn’t matter how much you have in savings or income—if you’re of pension age and need help with daily personal care due to long-term illness or disability, you could be eligible.

What Is Attendance Allowance?

A non-means-tested disability benefit for the over-State Pension age population.
Available to those who need help with tasks such as:
- Personal care, e.g., washing, dressing, toileting
- Supervision, e.g., ensuring safety around the house
You don’t need to be poor to qualify—it doesn’t matter if you’re working or studying and regardless of your income.

How Much Can You Receive?

Attendance Allowance comes in two weekly rates (as of 2025):

Lower rate: £71.00 per week → £306 per month
Higher rate: £106.75 per week → £461 per month
Most eligible pensioners will receive the higher rate, adding up to around £441 monthly, or £5,292 annually.

Why You Should Apply

Full control over how you spend it
Spend the money however you see fit—on care, household bills, or personal comfort items.
Boosts other benefits
It won’t reduce any existing State Pension or Pension Credit. It might even increase Carer’s Allowance and other support payments.
Helps carers, too
If you receive Attendance Allowance, your caregiver may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance, Child Benefit, or other allowances.
Use in care-cost calculations
While not deducted directly, it can influence how support is calculated by councils.

Eligibility Checklist

Requirement	Details
Age	Must have reached State Pension age (born before 1959)
Health condition	Long-term physical or mental condition, or disability
Care needs	Need help with personal care or mobility
Non-means-tested	Income and savings do NOT matter
No impact on other benefits	Doesn’t affect State Pension or Pension Credit
Can be working or studying	Benefit is fully payable while working/studying

Financial Example

Claiming the higher Attendance Allowance rate nets:

Weekly: £106.75
Monthly: Approx. £461
Annual: Around £5,536

Over three years, that’s £16,608—a meaningful financial cushion.

How to Claim Attendance Allowance

Get a claim form:
- Call DWP: 0800 731 0122 (textphone: 0800 731 0317)
- In Northern Ireland: 0800 587 0912 (textphone: 0800 012 1574)
- Or download it from GOV.UK
Claim timing:
- Forms from the helpline are stamped with your call date.
- Submit within six weeks to receive back-pay from that date.
- Posted forms are dated upon arrival.
Documentation:
- Provide a detailed description of your care needs.
- You don’t need medical reports, but adding them can help.
Processing:
- Applications typically take 4–8 weeks to process.
- A decision letter will confirm eligibility and payment rate.

Why Claiming Makes Sense

Simple process: Complete a single form via phone or post.
Rapid response: Potential back-pay of hundreds or thousands.
Freedom to spend: No restrictions—use it on care, bills, or comforts.
Peace of mind: More money gives greater independence and stability.

If you’re a pensioner born before 1959 and require personal care or supervision due to illness or disability, there’s absolutely no reason to miss out on up to £441 extra each month through Attendance Allowance. No checks on income or savings—just a focus on your care needs.

To take advantage:

Get the attendance allowance claim form
Complete and submit, ideally within six weeks
Await processing, then enjoy your additional funds

With just one application, you could receive an ongoing cash boost that benefits both you and your caregiver—so don’t delay!

FAQs

Is Attendance Allowance based on my income or savings?

No. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested. Your income, savings, and assets do not affect your eligibility or the amount you can receive.

What types of care needs qualify for Attendance Allowance?

You must need help with personal care (like washing, dressing, toileting), mobility, or require supervision for your safety. The benefit is based on how your condition affects you, not the diagnosis itself.

Will receiving Attendance Allowance affect my other benefits?

No. It won’t reduce your existing benefits. In fact, it could increase your entitlement to certain means-tested benefits and help a carer qualify for Carer’s Allowance.