DWP 'quietly' changes benefit worth £108 per week so some can apply online - but only on Monday

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has created a new way for older Brits to claim financial help if they claim the State Pension and have some form of disability, but you could be forgiven for not noticing. As of this week, according to an update to guidance, people will be able to claim Attendance Allowance online.

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for Brits claiming the State Pension who might need some assistance due to a disabling condition, which can be worth up to £108 per week for those with the most limiting disability. This broad benefit is claimed by roughly 1.6 million Brits, but the Benefits and Work forum has said this new DWP feature has been "quietly introduced", with the main way to claim Attendance Allowance continuing to be by post.

Updating their GOV.UK Attendance Allowance guidance, the DWP confirmed that the new online service will only be able to accept a "limited number of applications each week." And, making it more difficult for many older people to access the service, applicants cannot apply online via mobile phone or tablet, and must instead use a desktop computer or laptop to apply online - and they will probably only be able to apply on Mondays.

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Pensioners wanting to use the online service will have to get in early on Mondays to have their application processed online, with the DWP purposefully limiting the numbers that can use the service. It cannot be used by people who are an appointee or have power of attorney for someone to apply for Attendance Allowance, a common arrangement for many older Brits.

This bizarre rule is because the online application service is still being developed, as