Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Elderly people receiving monthly payments of up to £441 must adhere to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) regulations or risk losing their funds. Failure to inform the DWP about a change in circumstances could result in payment cessation. The DWP's latest figures reveal that nearly 1.7 million people across the UK were receiving additional financial aid through Attendance Allowance as of the end of August last year. Following a payment increase on April 7, people can now receive £73.90 per week (the lower rate) if they require assistance during the day or night, or £110.40 per week (the higher rate) if they need help both during the day and at night, or if they are terminally ill. The benefit is disbursed every four weeks, meaning recipients could receive either £295.60 or £441.60 each pay period. Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit provided by the DWP, designed to assist older people with daily living expenses, potentially helping them maintain independence in their own homes for longer. The Daily Record has shed light on a key issue that many may overlook: numerous changes in personal circumstances must be reported to the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) Attendance Allowance helpline immediately. The number to dial is 0800 731 0122, especially if there's been a change in the claimant's condition or they've been admitted to hospital since these updates can affect both their claim status and the amount paid out. Moreover, DWP has issued a stark warning on the GOV.UK website for those receiving Attendance Allowance: "You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances." This notice is followed by an exhaustive list of specific alterations that recipients are obliged to disclose. Reporting a change in circumstances If your circumstances change, the amount you get from Attendance Allowance may go up or down. You must contact the Attendance Allowance helpline straight away if: The level of help you need or your condition changes - you’ll need to provide details like if the amount of times you need help each day has changed You go into hospital or a care home - you’ll need to provide the address, the dates you’ve been there for, and how your stay is paid for A medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live You plan to leave the country for more than 4 weeks You go into prison You change your name, address or bank details You want to stop receiving your benefit Your doctor’s details change Your immigration status changes, if you’re not a British citizen If you're not sure if a change affects your Attendance Allowance benefit, it's worthwhile contacting the DWP to check - full details on GOV.UK here. It’s also important to be aware DWP guidance states if your circumstances change, the amount you get from Attendance Allowance may go up or down. Reporting a change if you need more help You should consider contacting the DWP to report a change if you feel you need more help for a disability or illness. This could be additional help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you do not currently get that help. This could include: Help with your personal care - for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet Help to stay safe You should also consider reporting a change if you are experiencing more difficulties completing personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. But remember, Attendance Allowance is not just for people with a physical disability or illness. You should also consider reporting a change if you need more help or supervision throughout the day or night and have: A mental health condition Learning difficulties A sensory condition - if you are deaf or blind You can contact the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. Full details about reporting a change can be found on the GOV.UK website. There are more than 50 physical or mental health conditions being supported by Attendance Allowance and even if you’re already claiming for one of these, another may have developed or your current condition may have become more debilitating. Health issues supported by Attendance Allowance Arthritis Spondylosis Back Pain – Other / Precise Diagnosis not Specified Disease of The Muscles, Bones or Joints Trauma to Limbs Blindness Deafness Heart disease Chest disease Asthma Cystic Fibrosis Cerebrovascular Disease Peripheral vascular Disease Epilepsy Neurological Diseases Multiple Sclerosis Parkinson's Motor Neurone Disease Chronic Pain Syndromes Diabetes Mellitus Metabolic Disease Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia Learning Difficulties Psychosis Psychoneurosis Personality Disorder Dementia Behavioural Disorder Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hyperkinetic Syndrome Renal Disorders Inflammatory Bowel Disease Bowel and Stomach Disease Blood Disorders Haemophilia Multi System Disorders Multiple Allergy Syndrome Skin Disease Malignant Disease Severely Mentally impaired Double Amputee Deaf/Blind Haemodialysis Frailty Total Parenteral Nutrition AIDS Support is also provided for people who are terminally ill.