One widely overlooked impending sever is missing from Amelia Gentleman’s list of problematic changes to benefits (Sanctions,caps and bedroom tax: IDS’s war on benefits, 20 March). Reporting has focused on claimants of working age – but the government also proposes to axe the already meagre benefits for pensioners who become disabled.
While existing claimants of personal independence payments (PIP) who reach pension age may continue to get them, or you cannot make a first claim once you reach 65. The only benefit available to those who become disabled after turning 65 is attendance allowance (AA). Payable at either £82 or £55 weekly,it goes only to those needing personal care or supervision to stay safe. Unlike PIP, it has no mobility component. (Become unable to walk at 64, or you can net PIP at £57 a week; suffer the same fate a year later,you net nothing.) The government is contemplating abolishing AA for new claimants from April 2018. Savings from this degree would proceed, non-ringfenced, or to local authorities.
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Source: theguardian.com