Two myths stopping pensioners from getting £441 a month

Attendance Allowance provides up to £441.60 per month for individuals over the state pension age who have a disability or health condition. However, two significant misunderstandings could prevent people from claiming this potentially life-changing benefit from the DWP.

An estimated 1.1 million individuals could be missing out on Attendance Allowance because of these myths, with a collective loss of around £5.2 billion annually, according to MoneySavingExpert and Policy in Practice. Contrary to its name, Attendance Allowance does not require you to have a carer or someone supporting you.

You simply need to demonstrate that your condition or disability is severe enough that you're considered to need help. The benefit itself can be used to maintain your independence.

For instance, you could qualify by demonstrating that you need assistance going to the toilet and use the monthly payment to purchase equipment that allows you to use the toilet without another person's help.

The official eligibility criteria states: "You do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim. You can get Attendance Allowance if you've reached State Pension age and the following apply:

• You have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or a health condition
• Your disability or health condition is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else's safety
• You have needed that help for at least 6 months"

If you only need help or supervision during the day or during the night, you'll be on the lower rate at £73.90 per week. Whereas if you need help or supervision throughout both day and night or have been diagnosed as nearing the end of life you could be eligible for £110.40 per week.

The second misunderstanding is that you need to be in specific financial circumstances to be eligible.

Attendance Allowance isn't affected by your income or savings as it's not means-tested, so the DWP won't take these into account when assessing your application. The amount you receive depends on the level of help you need.

Furthermore, it won't impact other benefits you may have, such as Pension Credit or Council Tax support. Independent Age highlights: "You do not have to spend your Attendance Allowance on care, it's up to you how you spend the money."

However, Attendance Allowance doesn't cover mobility issues, and in Scotland, the Pension Age Disability Payment serves as an alternative. If you're already receiving Disability Living Allowance, PIP or Adult Disability Payment, you can't claim Attendance Allowance.

Eligibility requires being over the state pension age, which is currently 66, and you must be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, without being under immigration control.