The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could pay people of State Pension age with arthritis up to £407 each month. This is done through Attendance Allowance, with recent figures showing more than 400,000 people claiming support.
Arthritis is the most common disabling condition that people are able to claim DWP benefits for. It typically causes stiffness, swelling, pain and inflammation in a joint and accounts for almost one-third of all the 1.4 million claims for Attendance Allowance.
Across the UK, an estimated 20 million people have arthritis or other, similar conditions that affect the joints. Anyone who lives with arthritis, back, joint or muscle pain could be eligible for support from the DWP through the benefit, reports the Daily Record.
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People should consider applying for Attendance Allowance if they have a disability or illness and need help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you do not currently get that help. This might include:
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Help with your personal care – for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet
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Help to stay safe
It can also be paid to anyone who has difficulties with personal tasks, for example if it takes them a long time, they experience pain or need physical help, like a chair to lean on. It can also be claimed if people need help or supervision and have:
Eligible claimants could get either £68.10 or £101.75 a week depending on the level of care needed. This is paid every four weeks and works out at £272.40 and £407 respectively.
People won’t be able to get Attendance Allowance if they already get PIP or DLA to pay for your care. Anyone who applies for Attendance Allowance while getting DLA will have their DLA award reassessed by the DWP instead.
Full details about claiming Attendance Allowance can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
