8,000 Gloucestershire pensioners may be missing up to $153 a week

Age UK estimated that up to 8,000 older people in Gloucestershire could be eligible for a weekly benefit of as much as £114.60 ($153) but are not receiving it.

Here's what to know

Attendance Allowance is a payment available to pensioners whose illness or disability means they need help with personal care. Age UK said thousands of qualifying older residents in Gloucestershire are not claiming it, according to BBC News.

Attendance Allowance is paid at two levels, with weekly amounts of £76.70 ($102.56) and £114.60 ($153.24). It is a benefit for people who have reached state pension age and is meant to help with the additional costs that can come with poor health or disability. It is not intended to cover mobility needs.

At Age UK Gloucestershire, marketing manager Tracy Harris called the estimated £40.7 million ($54.4 million) in unclaimed support each year "quite staggering."

Although the Department for Work and Pensions said it did not agree with the charity's estimate, a spokesperson added, "We want everyone who is entitled to Attendance Allowance to be able to access the support they need."

More background

For older adults living on fixed incomes, missing out on that support can mean cutting back on essentials or having fewer chances to stay socially connected.

For Mary Rose, 73, of Cheltenham, the allowance "helps a lot." BBC News reported that she uses it for taxi fares so she can get out and socialize.

Cheltenham resident Rita Collier, 71, said she "didn't know anything" about Attendance Allowance until her sister told her about it. She said the extra money would be especially useful for heating costs during colder months.

According to Harris, people do not have to already be receiving care in order to qualify.

What can be done?

The Attendance Allowance form is 32 pages long with 63 questions, and is "very long, very detailed [and] a little bit daunting." Collier said her daughter filled in the application for her.

People who already receive Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance also cannot claim it.

"Nobody ever tells you what you're entitled to," Rose said. "I think there should be more advertising, especially for older people."

Where can I learn more?

Missing out on benefits is just one of the pressures older adults face. 

• In Illinois, lawmakers pushed major changes to pension systems amid energy divestment debates.

• Across England, officials warned 8 million homes in England face growing flood risks.

• In Texas, lawmakers blocked backup power protections for assisted living facilities during disasters.

• A new analysis warned older adults face extreme heat as populations age.

• In Washington state, a retiree lost home insurance coverage after a company refused renewal.

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