'Unclaimed' £40.7m in little-known pensioner benefit

An estimated £40.7m in a little-known benefit for pensioners is going unclaimed in Gloucestershire, according to research from the charity Age UK.

Pensioners said there should be more awareness of the benefits available to older people with one - 73-year-old Mary Rose, from Cheltenham - saying she only found out about Attendance Allowance through her daughter who applied on her behalf.

"Nobody ever tells you what you're entitled to," she said. "I think there should be more advertising, especially for older people."

Tracy Harris, marketing manager at Age UK Gloucestershire, said: "There are a lot of people who don't realise that it [Attendance Allowance] is available to them."

Rose, who uses a wheelchair and a mobility scooter, said Attendance Allowance "helps a lot" and she uses it to pay for taxis, allowing her to go out and socialise.

Attendance Allowance helps pensioners with extra costs if they have a disability or health condition severe enough that they need someone to help look after them.

There is a lower rate of £76.70 per week and a higher rate of £114.60 per week for those who need more support.

Research from Age UK has found there could be as many as 8,000 eligible people in Gloucestershire who were not claiming the benefit.

"This equates to £40.7m a year of unclaimed Attendance Allowance in Gloucestershire, which is quite staggering," Harris said.

Rita Collier, 71, from Cheltenham, said she "didn't know anything" about Attendance Allowance until she was told about it by her sister.

She said the extra money would help with heating bills in particular during the colder months.

Harris said the 32-page, 63-question application form for Attendance Allowance often puts people off applying for it.

She described the process as "very long, very detailed [and] a little bit daunting".

Harris said the allowance was available to anyone who had reached state pension age and was struggling with their personal care needs.

However, it does not cover mobility needs.

People who already receive benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (Pip) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) cannot also claim Attendance Allowance.

Harris said people did not necessarily need to be receiving care to claim it.

"If you get awarded Attendance Allowance, you can spend it on whatever is right to help you," Harris said.

"Maybe you're a bit isolated at home but the Attendance Allowance might help you afford a taxi to get to your social group... or it could be to put your heating on more often," she said.

Mark Johnson, 60, from Cheltenham, said the extra money was vital to pay for heating and food during the colder months.

"Food, heating and electric costs are extremely high now," he said. "I'm trying to use bare electric or gas."

You can apply for Attendance Allowance online, on the government website, or by post.

You will need:

• your National Insurance number

• your address and contact details

• details of the disability or health condition that you need extra help for

• details of your GP surgery or medical centre

• details of your care home, hospital or hospice if you are currently staying in one.

Harris said there were guidance notes on the Age UK website which can help take people through the process.

She said the charity also had advisors and volunteers who could go to people's homes to help them complete the forms.

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