The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a direct warning to the nation's state pensioners, urging them not to spend money on services that help with Attendance Allowance applications. The alert was delivered in Parliament just before the Christmas recess, highlighting the widespread availability of free, official support.
Parliamentary Warning Against Paid Services
The issue was raised in the House of Commons by Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, Liz Jarvis. She questioned the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the steps being taken to monitor the quality of paid services that offer assistance with applications for Attendance Allowance.
Responding on Tuesday, 17 December 2025, Labour's Torsten Bell provided the official government response. He stated clearly: "Free help, support and advice on claiming Attendance Allowance is widely available, including on GOV.UK, from DWP, and organisations such as Age UK."
He emphasised the key message for claimants: "There is no need for claimants to pay for advice and support with benefit applications."
Scale of Attendance Allowance Claims
This warning is highly relevant given the significant number of people who rely on the benefit. Recent data shows there are now approximately 1,798,000 Attendance Allowance claimants across the UK. This marks a notable increase from around 1.66 million claimants recorded in August 2023.
Attendance Allowance is a vital benefit designed to help with the extra costs faced by individuals who have a disability or health condition so severe that they require someone to assist in looking after them. It is not means-tested and is available to those who have reached state pension age.
How to Apply Correctly and for Free
The DWP guidance outlines the straightforward process for applying, all of which can be done without charge. Applicants can choose to apply online via the GOV.UK website or by post. Different rules apply for those in Northern Ireland or individuals nearing the end of life.
To complete an application, you will typically need:
- Your National Insurance number.
- Your contact details and address.
- Specific details about the disability or health condition requiring extra help.
- The contact information for your GP surgery or medical centre.
- If applicable, details of your care home, hospital, or hospice.
You cannot apply online if you are an appointee, but the DWP confirms that those with power of attorney can use the online service.
The core advice from the DWP remains unambiguous: with comprehensive and free resources available directly from the government and trusted charities like Age UK, pensioners should feel confident in navigating the application process without incurring any unnecessary costs.
