The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has created a new way for older Brits to claim financial help if they claim the State Pension and have some form of disability, but you could be forgiven for not noticing. As of this week, according to an update to guidance, people will be able to claim Attendance Allowance online.

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for Brits claiming the State Pension who might need some assistance due to a disabling condition, which can be worth up to £108 per week for those with the most limiting disability. This broad benefit is claimed by roughly 1.6 million Brits, but the Benefits and Work forum has said this new DWP feature has been "quietly introduced", with the main way to claim Attendance Allowance continuing to be by post.

Updating their GOV.UK Attendance Allowance guidance, The DWP confirmed that the new online service will only be able to accept a "limited number of applications each week." And, making it more difficult for many older people to access the service, applicants cannot apply online via mobile phone or tablet, and must instead use a desktop computer or laptop to apply online - and they will probably only be able to apply on Mondays.

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Pensioners wanting to use the online service will have to get in early on Mondays to have their application processed online, with the DWP purposefully limiting the numbers that can use the service. It cannot be used by people who are an appointee or have power of attorney for someone to apply for Attendance Allowance, a common arrangement for many older Brits.

This bizarre rule is because the online application service is still being developed, as made apparent by the message applicants currently receive when attempting to use it. The message reads: “You cannot apply online today. This is because the service is still being developed, only a limited number of people can apply online each week.

"More applications will become available every Monday. You can still apply by post.”

Claimants wanting to use the service will have to be ready with all their information when they log in to use the service, as it is not possible to save a form hallway through, and so must be completed by a pensioner in one sitting. Benefits and Work also highlighted the beta service's inability to process additional evidence to support a claim, instead saying that applicants will be contacted by telephone.

It’s important to note that this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported. However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance on the GOV.UK website here.

Conditions That Qualify For Attendance Allowance

The most common conditions people who claim the allowance have are:

• Arthritis

• Dementia

• Heart Disease

• Respiratory Conditions

• Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints

• Cerebrovascular Disease

• Back Pain

• Visual Disorders and Diseases

• Parkinson’s

• Neurological Conditions

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Some 210,000 women may be entitled to a back payment and higher State Pension payments due to historical errors. The full New State Pension payment is £221.20 each week.

New Way To Claim Attendance Allowance - But Only On Mondays

There is a new way to claim a major DWP benefit that more than 1.6 million older Brits get to help with costs associated with a health condition, but only on Mondays.