This can be particularly true for those who applied a long time ago. This is because as a person finds that their care needs have increased, they can expect their eligibility for Attendance Allowance to adjust accordingly.

People are encourage to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as soon as possible if their circumstances change.

The change might increase a person’s financial support and they could miss out on extra money if they don’t inform the DWP.

AGE UK explained: “Your circumstances may have changed since the last time you applied, especially if it was a while ago.

“If your care needs have increased, you may find you’re now eligible”.

It is also important to inform the DWP if a person goes into hospital for more than 28 days as this will affect whether a person qualifies for Attendance Allowance.

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In order to get the right amount of Attendance Allowance and not have to pay any money back, people must also tell DWP upon being admitted into a care home.

A person can still be eligible for Attendance Allowance if they’re paying for a care home out of their own money, but they usually can’t if the care is paid for by the local authority.

The terminally ill and those who live in a hospice also qualify for Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance is a benefit that helps with the extra costs of long-term illness or disability which can be either physical and/or mental.

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It is only for people who have reached state pension age.

Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, which means that it can be paid regardless of a person’s income, savings or National Insurance contribution record.

Those who require frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night receive a £60 weekly payment.

Anyone who needs help or supervision throughout both day and night, or is terminally ill receives a higher rate of £89.60.

A person can get Attendance Allowance if they’ve reached state pension age and have a physical disability (including sensory disability), a mental disability (including learning difficulties) or both.

Their disability must be severe enough for them to be unable to care for themselves.

If a person is not receiving care and lives alone, they do not qualify.

They must be in need of this help for at least six months (unless they’re terminally ill).

A person must be in Britain when they make a claim for Attendance Allowance.

The exception to this is if a person is a member of the armed forces or has a family member in this field.

A person who has not been living in Britain for at least two of the last three years (this does not apply if they’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status) cannot apply for Attendance Allowance.

They need to be habitual resident of the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands and must not be subject to immigration control (unless they’re a sponsored immigrant).