State pensioners with poor eyesight could be eligible for £434 free cash every month

STATE pensioners with bad eyesight may qualify for free cash worth £434 a month through a Government benefit.

Those who need help at home due to a disability or illness can claim Attendance Allowance (AA).

The benefit covers the extra costs brought on by having a disability severe enough you need someone to help look after you.

It is paid at two different rates – £72.65 or £108.55 a week – and the amount you get depends on the level of care you require.

The lower rate is for those needing frequent help or constant supervision due the day, or supervision at night.

The higher rate applies if you need help or supervision throughout both the day and night.

The higher rate of AA is worth an extra £434 a month, or £5,208 a year.

Those with poor eyesight who struggle to carry out everyday tasks such as choosing clothes, reading and replying to emails can apply for AA.

You don’t have to be registered as blind or partially sighted to claim the benefit – it is how your sight affects your daily life.

Those that claim AA can also get Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or a council tax reduction.

Who is eligible for AA?

AA is for people who have reached state pension age, currently 66, and have a physical disability, including blindness or other sight conditions, a mental disability, including learning difficulties, or both.

However, AA doesn’t cover those struggling with their mobility.

You’re eligible for AA if you need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you due to your disability.

One of the conditions is that you must have needed that help for at least six months.

You could also get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you get AA.

If you have a sight condition and are under 66, you could apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead.

How to claim Attendance Allowance

You can apply for Attendance Allowance online or by post.

To apply, you’ll need:

• your National Insurance number
• your address and contact details
• details of the health condition or disability that you need extra help for
• details of your GP surgery or medical centre

After submitting your claim, you’ll receive a text or a letter within three weeks that explains when you can expect a decision.

If you’re awarded AA, the decision letter will explain when you can expect your first payment.

Claims start on the day you submit them if doing so online.

If you apply by post, the claim will start on the date the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) receives it.

If you call the helpline to get a form, your claim will start on the date of your call, as long as you return the form within six weeks.

Those who have 12 months or less to leave can’t apply online but need to complete a form.

They also need to ask their doctor for form SR1, which they will either fill in and give the patient, or send directly to the DWP.

If you struggle to fill in the claim form, you can ask for help at your nearest Citizens Advice branch.

Attendance Allowance isn’t means-tested so you can claim it even if you have other money you have coming in or in your savings.

It is tax-free and you’ll be exempt from the Benefit Cap, meaning you won’t have money taken away from any other benefits.

However, you can’t apply for AA if you already get PIP or DLA to pay for your care. 

If you’re getting DLA and apply for AA, the DWP will reassess your DLA.

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