The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging claimants to report changes in their circumstances as soon as possible, warning that delays could result in losing up to £434 a month in financial support.

Attendance Allowance provides vital, tax-free assistance to more than 1.6 million older people across the country, helping them manage daily living costs and maintain independence.

However, the DWP has stressed the importance of keeping claims up to date.

Whether it’s a change in medical needs or living arrangements, failing to report changes can lead to reduced payments, overpayment demands, or even legal penalties.

Claiming additional support

If your circumstances have changed for the worse, reporting it to the DWP could mean you’re entitled to more help.

For example, those struggling more with daily tasks like eating, bathing, or getting out of bed might qualify for the higher rate of Attendance Allowance.

“Attendance Allowance isn’t just for physical conditions,” explains Andy, a tax expert at Tax Natives. “If you’re dealing with mental health challenges, sensory impairments, or anything else that makes daily life harder, it’s important to let the DWP know. You could be missing out on the support you need.”

Other changes in benefits entitlement the DWP needs to know about

Claimants are required to notify the DWP of specific changes that could impact their entitlement. This could be:

  • Health and care needs. If you need more or less help with things like personal care, mobility, or supervision.
  • Extended travel abroad. Let the DWP know if you’ll be out of the UK for more than four weeks.
  • Updates to personal details, for example, if your name, address, bank details, or immigration status changes.
  • Other circumstances. For example, if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness, are taken in for long hospital stays or care home admissions. 

“Attendance Allowance is meant to match your current needs, and those can change over time,” says Andy. “Keeping the DWP updated means you’ll get the right level of support and avoid any unexpected issues with your payments.”

The Attendance Allowance helpline is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, on 0800 731 0122. For more details on reporting changes, visit the GOV.UK website.

“Taking action now will help you avoid disruptions to your payments and make sure your benefits match your needs,” Andy says. “It’s always better to get things sorted sooner rather than later.”