Attendance Allowance is provided to people of State Pension age who have a disability or health condition, according to the DWP. It is paid by the DWP at two different rates, with the amount depending on the level of care needed because of the health condition. Claimants must report certain changes in circumstances immediately, or risk having their payments reduced or stopped. Failing to report a change could lead to overpayments, fines, or prosecution, the DWP states. Even temporary changes, such as a stay in hospital, can affect entitlement. The Government warns that claimants could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if they give wrong information or do not report a change in their circumstances. The specific penalties or fines for failing to report changes are not detailed, and it is unclear how quickly changes must be reported to avoid penalties, such as within days or weeks.
People must contact the Attendance Allowance helpline as soon as possible if their condition changes, they need more or less help, or their personal circumstances alter in a way that could affect their claim. You must contact the helpline straight away if: the level of help you need changes or your condition worsens or improves; you go into hospital or move into a care home; a medical professional has said you may have 12 months or less to live; you plan to leave the UK for more than four weeks; you go into prison; you change your name, address, or bank details; you want to stop your claim; your doctor changes; your immigration status changes. Needing more help includes needing help with personal care such as dressing, eating, getting in and out of bed, bathing, or using the toilet, or supervision to stay safe during the day. The exact criteria for the two different rates of Attendance Allowance are not specified, and the process for appealing if a claim is suspended or reduced due to unreported changes remains unknown.
If your circumstances change, your Attendance Allowance payments could increase, decrease, or stop altogether. You should contact the DWP if you need more help because of a disability or illness, even if you are not currently receiving that help. How the DWP verifies changes in circumstances, such as through medical checks or documentation, is not detailed.
If you are unsure whether a change needs to be reported, the safest option is to contact the helpline and check. If you are unsure whether something counts as a change, it is safer to contact the DWP and check rather than risk an overpayment or suspended claim.
The DWP is to give older pensioners an extra £5,759 a year from April.