More than a million pension-age households in the UK may be losing out on thousands of pounds every year by not claiming a major Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit.
Over 1.1 million households could be eligible for Attendance Allowance but are not receiving it, a new report from Policy in Practice and Money Saving Expert found.
The organisations calculated that an estimated £5.2billion in support goes unclaimed annually.
Attendance Allowance can be worth up to £5,300 a year for those who qualify.
The report said the benefit can make a significant difference to monthly income for older people who have long-term health or care needs.
Figures from the DWP show that around 1.9 million people currently receive the payment. The gap between those claiming and those who may be entitled remains substantial.
Attendance Allowance is designed to help people who have a physical or mental disability or health condition severe enough to require assistance with daily care.
The benefit is intended to cover the extra costs associated with needing someone to look after you. The payment does not include support for mobility needs.
Over a million UK pensioner households risk missing out on thousands yearly by not claiming a key DWP benefit
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People living in Scotland receive help through a separate benefit system. Attendance Allowance is paid at two weekly rates depending on the level of care required.
Eligible applicants must be at State Pension age or above.
They must also have needed support for at least six months prior to making a claim.
Applicants do not need to have an actual carer to qualify, only a demonstrable need for care or supervision. The lower rate is £73.90 per week.
Claimants must normally live in the UK and must have been present in Britain for at least two of the past three years
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GETTY / PAThe higher rate is £110.40 per week. To receive the lower rate, applicants must require frequent help or continuous supervision during the day, or supervision throughout the night.
To qualify for the higher rate, applicants must need help both day and night or have been told by a medical professional that they are nearing the end of their life.
Claimants must normally live in the UK and must have been present in Britain for at least two of the past three years.
They must also be habitually resident in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or Channel Islands. Applicants cannot be subject to immigration control unless they are sponsored migrants.
Receiving Attendance Allowance can increase entitlement to other benefits. The payment can boost Pension Credit, increase Housing Benefit, or reduce Council Tax.
Some benefits cannot be claimed at the same time as Attendance Allowance. These include Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment, Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance and Armed Forces Independence Payment.
Care home residents whose costs are met by their local council are generally not eligible.
Residents who pay for their own care may still be able to claim.
UK nationals who move to or live in EU countries, the European Economic Area or Switzerland may also qualify. Armed Forces personnel and their families are exempt from standard residency rules.
Applications for Attendance Allowance can be completed online or by post.
Online applicants need their National Insurance number, address and contact details, details of their condition, GP surgery information and, where relevant, details of any hospital, hospice or care home stays.
Paper forms can be downloaded from the DWP website.
Forms can be requested by calling Attendance Allowance
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Forms can also be requested by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline.
The helpline number is 0800 731 0122 and is also used to report changes of circumstances.
After submitting a claim, applicants are usually contacted within three weeks with information on when a decision will be made.
Online claims are counted from the date of submission. Postal claims begin from the date the DWP receives the form.