State pensioners being handed free £5,644 and 'your finances don't matter'

State pensioners have been urged to claim a little known benefit for a £5,644 boost. Charity Age UK along with the Rothesay Foundation has found that thousands of older people are missing out on benefits that they are rightfully entitled to simply because they aren’t claiming them - including Attendance Allowance.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) AA isn't means-tested so your finances don't matter - it's for state pensioners who need some daily living help. To get it, you must be of State Pension age (currently at least 66) and there's no specific conditions list. It can be a mental or physical disability/illness, what counts is its impact on you.

You must've needed either help or supervision for six consecutive month. Help means assistance with daily living or bodily functions, for example washing and eating, so even if you don't think of yourself as disabled, you may be eligible.

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The minimum you get is the lower rate of £73 a week - that's £3,778 a year. If you need help during the day OR night, you get the LOWER rate of £73 per week or £3,778 a year. If you need help during BOTH the day and night, you get the HIGHER rate of £109 per week which is £5,644 per year.

Attendance Allowance may unlock access to £1,000s of other extra help, too. Paul Farmer, CEO at Age UK, said: “To date, we’ve already helped over 4,500 older people identify their benefit entitlements, and over the next two years we hope to reach even more.

“From our conversations with older people, we know how life-changing this support can be. Many are forced to make impossible choices between heating, eating, buying warm clothes or even getting a small Christmas gift for a loved one. Older people deserve better.

“We are deeply grateful to the Rothesay Foundation for its generosity and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of older people.” James Dickson, Chairman of the Rothesay Foundation, said: “Too many older people are living in need in the UK despite being eligible and entitled to greater financial support.

“Through our pilot campaign with Age UK, we know that benefits like Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance can be life-changing, unlocking potentially thousands of pounds each year for those in need.”