3.4million disabled pensioners missing out on up to £4,558 a year in benefits
AROUND 3.4million disabled pensioners could be missing out on up to £4,558 a year in attendance allowance.
The benefit is paid to Brits who've reached state pension age and need help looking after due to a physical or mental disability.
Roughly 6.41million over-65s need help with activities like washing and dressing, meaning they're likely to qualify for attendance allowance, charity Turn2us said.
Yet only 1.6million Brits claimed the benefit in May last year.
Meanwhile, 700,000 pensioners receive disabled living allowance, 350,000 claim carers’ allowance, and 330,000 get personal independence payment (PIP).
It means the rest - roughly 3.43million pensioners - miss out on claiming attendance allowance, Turn2us estimates.
How much can you get in attendance allowance?
PENSIONERS could get several thousand pounds a year.
Eligible Brits get either £58.70 or £87.65 a week, giving them a boost of between £3,052.40 to £4,557.70 a year.
The lower rate is paid to those who need frequent help or supervision during the day or night.
While Brits who need help throughout both the day and night, or if they're terminally ill, get the higher rate.
The benefit can be backdated to the date of your claim - usually the date your form is received or the date you call the enquiry line.
David Samson, welfare benefit specialist at Turn2us, said: "Unclaimed benefits are a huge issue in the UK.
"Whether it is because of an overly complicated system, societal stigma or simply not knowing, there are many reasons why people miss out on their benefits.
"People over the age of 65 are especially likely to be missing out on their entitlements.
"We urge anyone who is unsure of what they are entitled to, to do a benefit calculation to see if there is anything they can claim."
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) told The Sun it continually seeks to improve the information available to encourage eligible Brits to apply.
Are you eligible for attendance allowance?
You can get attendance allowance if you've reached state pension age (currently 65) and the following applies to you.
- You have a physical or mental disability, or both
- Your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself
- You have needed that help for at least six months (unless you’re terminally ill)
To get the benefit, you must have been in Britain for at least two of the last three years, unless you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status.
If you live in a care home and pay for all the costs yourself, you'll be able to claim attendance allowance.
Your state pension age is worked out based on your gender and date of birth - you can check yours using the .
How to claim
To apply, you'll need to download the attendance allowance form on the and then send it by post.
It should be sent to the address: Attendance Allowance Unit, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 2AD.
If you're unable to print the form yourself, you can call the attendance allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 and ask for a copy to be sent to you.
It's worth applying, especially as you may get extra pension credit and housing benefit or a council tax reduction if you receive attendance allowance.
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Recipients of attendance allowance and other benefits can get a Christmas bonus next month.
It comes as recent research found that the UK's poorest pensioners receive an average of £2,600 less a year in state support than the richest.
Meanwhile, here's how to check that you're not missing out on thousands of pounds in benefits.