State Pension offers important monetary help for over 12.4 million older individuals throughout the UK, together with some 981,399 Scots.
Nonetheless, current analysis by Age UK has discovered that an estimated 1.25 million girls who're claiming State Pension reside beneath the breadline, the equal to at least one in 5. The charity says single feminine pensioners are at a a lot greater threat of being in poverty than single males and pensioner couples.
Their research additionally highlighted how pensioners from black and Asian communities, together with women and men, are round twice as more likely to be residing in poverty as white pensioners - 33 per cent of Asian pensioners and 30 per cent of black pensioners in comparison with 16 per cent of white pensioners.
Female and male pensioners who hire their properties are additionally more likely to be in poverty than those that personal their dwelling outright (38% of personal tenants and 36% of tenants in social rented housing in contrast with 14% of householders).
Nonetheless, many individuals of State Pension age might be lacking out on common funds from Attendance Allowance as a result of they mistakenly consider they won't qualify for the extra profit or are delay by the claims course of.
The newest statistics from the Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) present that almost 1.4 million persons are claiming the profit throughout the UK, together with 124,192 Scots.
Profitable claimants may obtain both £61.85 or £92.40 per week, relying on the extent of care wanted due to their situation, which is paid each 4 weeks and works out at £247.40 and £369.60 every cost interval, respectively.
The profit just isn't means-tested so it does not matter what different cash you will have coming in or how a lot you will have in financial savings. It is usually tax-free and you'll be exempt from the Profit Cap so you will not have cash taken away from another advantages.
Of the Attendance Allowance claimants in receipt of funds, 60 per cent had been aged 80 or over.
The commonest disabling situation was arthritis (30%), adopted by dementia (8%).
Many extra persons are entitled to Attendance Allowance however merely have no idea sufficient about it to make a declare - beneath is a fast information with some priceless perception by Age UK.
What's Attendance Allowance?
Attendance Allowance helps individuals who have reached State Pension age with additional prices if they've a bodily or studying incapacity, extreme sickness, sensory impairment or psychological well being situation that makes it arduous for them to take care of themselves - but it surely doesn't cowl any mobility wants.
You need to think about making a declare when you need assistance or supervision all through the day or at occasions throughout the evening - even when you don’t at the moment get that assist.
This may embrace:
Assist together with your private care - getting dressed, consuming or ingesting, getting out and in of mattress, bathing or showering and going to the bathroom
Assist to remain protected
You also needs to apply you probably have difficulties with private duties, particularly in the event that they take you a very long time, you expertise ache or want bodily assist, like a chair to lean on.
Age UK has compiled an inventory of the most typical myths that put individuals off making a declare for Attendance Allowance and doubtlessly lacking out on a lot wanted monetary help.
1. My declare was turned down earlier than
Your circumstances could have modified for the reason that final time you utilized, particularly if it was some time in the past. In case your care wants have elevated, it's possible you'll discover you’re now eligible.
2. My earnings is just too excessive
Attendance Allowance is assessed purely in your incapacity or well being situation and your care or supervision wants. It isn’t means-tested so it doesn’t matter what you earn or how a lot you will have in financial savings.
3. I can get by with out it
You may have paid into the tax system all of your life, now it’s time to get one thing again. Take into consideration what help or gear may provide help to to hold on residing independently at dwelling for longer.
4. I are not looking for a carer coming into my dwelling
You don’t need to spend Attendance Allowance on a carer. Many older individuals spend it on different kinds of assist in the house, or gear to assist them keep impartial longer.
5. I would not have a carer
You don’t have to have a carer or somebody taking care of you. You qualify primarily based on the provide help to want, not the provide help to truly get.
6. The declare type is just too lengthy
Ask your native Age UK in the event that they may help you fill it in. Name Age UK Recommendation without cost on 0800 169 65 65 or go to your nearest Age UK.
You too can get help out of your native Residents Recommendation, discover out extra right here.
Who ought to apply for Attendance Allowance?
Should you expertise any of the next, it is best to think about making a declare.
Washing, bathing and taking care of your look
You need assistance:
getting out and in of the tub or bathe
adjusting bathe controls
Shaving
placing on pores and skin lotions
washing or drying your hair
Going to the bathroom
You need assistance:
adjusting your garments after utilizing the bathroom
utilizing the bathroom at evening
altering garments or bedding you probably have an accident
Assist with medical remedy
You need assistance:
figuring out your tablets
studying and understanding directions about taking remedy
managing a situation corresponding to diabetes
recognising in case your situation deteriorates
adjusting your listening to help
Supervision
You want:
somebody to look at over you in case you will have a fall or seizure or cross out
somebody to look at over you since you lack consciousness of hazard or might be a hazard to your self or others
somebody to look at over you in case you get confused, forgetful or disorientated
somebody to provide you remedy for angina or bronchial asthma assaults
somebody to assist calm you down throughout a panic assault
Getting dressed or undressed
You need assistance:
with fastenings, buttons and shoelaces
recognising when your garments are on inside out
Mealtimes
You need assistance consuming and ingesting.
Speaking
You need assistance:
understanding or listening to individuals or being understood by them
answering the cellphone
coping with correspondence
Getting round indoors
You need assistance:
navigating stairs
getting up from a chair
getting out and in of mattress
transferring safely from room to room
How does Attendance Allowance have an effect on different advantages?
The opposite advantages you get may enhance when you get Attendance Allowance, these embrace:
- Additional Pension Credit score
- Housing Profit Discount
- Council Tax Discount
How do I make a declare?
You'll need to finish an extended declare type once you apply for Attendance Allowance.
It might sound daunting at first however assist is accessible out of your nearest Residents Recommendation, so do not let the shape put you off making use of.
Should you'd desire to do it your self you possibly can comply with the Residents Recommendation information on find out how to fill in your declare type right here.
Full particulars of find out how to get the appliance type by put up or over the cellphone might be discovered on the GOV.UK web site right here.
What occurs if I'm about to succeed in State Pension age?
In case you are desirous about making use of for Attendance Allowance once you attain State Pension age, you is perhaps higher off claiming Private Independence Fee (PIP) immediately - you might be able to get more cash.
Should you declare PIP and get it, the quantity you obtain will rely in your circumstances and the way your incapacity or sickness impacts you.
Discover out extra about claiming PIP right here.
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Who can't declare Attendance Allowance?
You will not be capable of get Attendance Allowance when you already get PIP or DLA to pay in your care.
Should you apply for Attendance Allowance whereas getting DLA, the DWP will normally reassess your DLA award as an alternative.
You may renew your PIP or DLA when the present award ends so long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards.
In case your renewal is unsuccessful you possibly can apply for Attendance Allowance as an alternative.
Discover out extra about Attendance Allowance on the GOV.UK web site right here.
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