DWP Attendance Allowance changes you must report - full list

Claimants on a benefit claimed by more than 1.7 million people across the UK are being notified they need to report changes to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP provides this payment to help elderly people with their everyday living costs.

Yet many claimants might not realise they're required to notify the DWP's Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 of any changes to their situation immediately. This becomes especially important when yourhealth conditionchanges or you're hospitalised, as such developments could impact your eligibility or benefit payments.

The DWP guidance also cautions: "You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances."

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Official DWP guidance also outlines the changes that benefit recipients must declared, reports the Daily Record.

Reporting a change in circumstances

Should your situation change, the sum you collect from Attendance Allowance might go up or down.

You must ring the Attendance Allowance helpline straight away if:

• you go into hospital or a care home - you’ll need to provide the address, the dates you’ve been there for, and how your stay is paid for
• your doctor’s details change
• your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen
• you go into prison
• you change your name, address or bank details
• the level of help you need or your condition changes - you’ll need to provide details like if the amount of times you need help each day has changed
• you want to stop receiving your benefit
• you plan to leave the country for more than 4 weeks
• a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live

If you're uncertain whether a change affects your Attendance Allowance benefit, it's worth getting in touch with the DWP to check - full details can be found on GOV.UK here. It's also crucial to note that DWP guidance indicates that if your circumstances change, the amount you receive from Attendance Allowance may increase or decrease.

Reporting a change if you need more help

You should think about contacting the DWP to report a change if you feel you need more support due to a disability or illness. This could be extra help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night - even if you do not currently receive that help.

This might include:

• Assistance with personal care - for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and using the toilet
• Help to stay safe

You should also consider reporting a change if you are experiencing more difficulties completing personal tasks - for example, if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. But remember, Attendance Allowance is not just for people with a physical disability or illness.

You should also consider reporting a change if you need more help or supervision throughout the day or night and have a mental health condition, learning difficulties, or a sensory condition - if you are deaf or blind.

The Attendance Allowance helpline can be reached on 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. Comprehensive information about reporting a change can be found on the GOV.UK website here.

Attendance Allowance supports more than 50 physical or mental health conditions and even if you're already claiming for one of these, another may have developed or your current condition may have worsened.

How much could I receive on Attendance Allowance?

You could be eligible for £73.90 (lower rate) per week if you require assistance during the day or night, or £110.40 (higher rate) if you need help both during the day and night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks, which means you could receive either £295.60 or £441.60 each pay period.

The money can be spent as you wish and it could assist you in maintaining independence in your own home for a longer period.

Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings?

Yes. Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested so it doesn't matter what other income you have or how much you have in savings - there's no limit. It is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won't have money deducted from any other benefits.

How does Attendance Allowance influence other benefits?

Your other benefits might see an increase if you receive Attendance Allowance, these include:

• Extra Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit Reduction
• Council Tax Reduction

Full guidance on Attendance Allowance can be found on GOV.UK here.