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AIBU

Attendance Allowance.

(39 Posts)
Winniewit Wed 17-Jul-24 16:16:16

I'm posting here because Im angry
My husband has cancer of the oesophagus and has liver mets.
He has less than 2years to live but has been refused AA because he doesn't need constant attendance during the night.
It's their rules I guess...but gid..am I angry..

ferry23 Wed 17-Jul-24 16:22:54

Winniewwit did you complete the form yourself? When I originally applied for my Dad it was refused but then I got help with the form and he got the higher rate.

crazyH Wed 17-Jul-24 16:27:58

Yes , I agree with ferry - I know Age Concern will help you to complete the forms, and usually they’re successful.
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband. If anyone deserves AA, it is him.

Bonnybanko Wed 17-Jul-24 16:29:19

Pm me I’ll try help you fill this form in I get the higher rate

Shelflife Wed 17-Jul-24 16:30:28

Winniewit, I am sorry to know about your DH diognosis. My mum was awarded the lower rate a few years ago. Did you fill the form in yourself?
There are organizations that are very experienced in this area and will fill the form in for you. Citizens Advice Bureau may be a good first contact.
Do reapply as second claims are often successful. Your DH has been treated badly regarding this issue. Please re apply and do find out which organization in your area can help - they are very efficient in these matters. Good luck and I hope you are able to keep us updated on this matter.

kittylester Wed 17-Jul-24 16:30:57

You should qualify for the lower rate if he needs help either in the day or the night.

You should fill in the form using your very worst day and/or very worst night.

I think you can appeal but you can also reapply after a specific period (maybe 6 months) CAB may help you fill in the form.

Bonnybanko Wed 17-Jul-24 16:33:16

So very sorry Winniwit to hear of your husbands horrible illness if I can be of help with these forms just pm me this was my bread and butter these forms - take care 💐💐

Primrose53 Wed 17-Jul-24 16:52:16

Bonnybanko

So very sorry Winniwit to hear of your husbands horrible illness if I can be of help with these forms just pm me this was my bread and butter these forms - take care 💐💐

What a very kind offer! 👏👏

mostlyharmless Wed 17-Jul-24 16:53:36

Sorry to hear about your husband’s illness.
When my husband had terminal cancer, he was able to claim attendance allowance through a fast track system on the basis of his illness being terminal. You do have to have your GP or consultant agreeing it’s terminal, which may or may not be easy. Our GP refused to agree that it was terminal, but the consultant thought it was. There is a view that “terminal” means six months to a year, but of course nobody really knows how quickly the illness will progress.
If he is awarded Attendance Allowance, he automatically qualifies for a disabled parking badge, which is extremely useful for the many hospital visits.
Good luck.

MissAdventure Wed 17-Jul-24 16:59:58

The Macmillan phone line will be able to help you.

You can have an application form, phone them, and they will tell you to miss large sections out, since your husbands condition is terminal.

I'm assuming attendance allowance will be treated the same as disability benefit when I say this.

Either way, they are very helpful.

I'm sorry you've been put in this situation. thanks
It's the last thing you want to be thinking about, I'm sure.

annsixty Wed 17-Jul-24 17:19:22

Please apply again using the services of an agency as others have said.
My H with Alzheimer’s and a major stroke was turned down the first time and we were told it is common for a proportion to be dismissed first time of trying.
6weeks later got it at higher rate after Age Uk filled it in for us.
Good luck.

M0nica Wed 17-Jul-24 17:32:06

Winniwit there is an art to filling these forms in. I worked for Age Concern (now Age UK) as a home visitor and filled in hundreds of these forms. You need to know what they are looking for and how to tell them.

Bonnybanko up thread has offered help. You could also talk to your local Age UK branch and they will be able to help you.

I have in the past helped several GN membes get AA, but Bonnybanko has got in first so do contact her.

kittylester Wed 17-Jul-24 18:04:30

Not sure that AgeUk still offer that service - they don't here. But definitely worth asking them.

MacMillan is a good idea.

Shelflife Wed 17-Jul-24 18:20:31

Please contact Bonybanko. Remember second applications are often successful - but do take advantage of Bonnybanko's generous offer.

Davida1968 Wed 17-Jul-24 18:35:09

Definitely worth asking Age UK for help in reapplying. They have a contact form option on their Website. Good luck.

MissInterpreted Wed 17-Jul-24 18:37:49

It's so lovely that members have offered to help here. I found it a nightmare trying to complete the forms on behalf of my in-laws, and I'm no stranger to dealing with similar paperwork. Hope you get the help your husband so clearly deserves.

Sago Wed 17-Jul-24 18:44:57

There used to be a benefit for people with terminal illness. Check it out.

ElaineI Wed 17-Jul-24 18:49:30

Definitely try again with the help of one of the mentioned agencies. RNIB helped me with Mum's form. She was exhausted at the end but it was worth it.

Cossy Wed 17-Jul-24 19:20:16

You can appeal if this is recent. You need to start the process by requesting a “mandatory reconsideration”, then you can move to full blown appeal.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/attendance-allowance-appeals/attendance-allowance-mandatory-reconsideration/

Good luck

www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision

Ignore the one systems, you’re able to appeal for u to 12/13 months after original decision.

Cossy Wed 17-Jul-24 19:20:56

Sorry 1 month via Gov.Uk that should read!

maddyone Wed 17-Jul-24 19:36:26

I’m so sorry to hear about your husband. He should be entitled to receive the lower rate. It’s lovely that other posters have offered to help. Please don’t give up, your husband deserves the extra help.

Coolgran65 Wed 17-Jul-24 19:55:40

CAN were brilliant. I applied on behalf of my mother and got the lower rate. Went to CAB and they helped me appeal not the decision but the rate. She then got the higher rate.

Visgir1 Wed 17-Jul-24 20:00:09

Sorry to hear about you DH.
I too was going to say Age Concern will help you fill in the form, you should get it?
My Dad didn't get it as he already had a disability allowance, not sure if that changed but you don't or didn't get both.

M0nica Wed 17-Jul-24 20:20:15

You are right Visgirl Attendabce Allowance and DLA were over lapping and cancelling out benefits. DLA was granted to working people butcarried on through retirement. AA is only for those who become disabled after theyhave retired. Now, of course, it is PIP, not DLA.

Sago It wasn't a separate benfit, but a fast track to get DLA or AA. You got a letter from the consultant and the grant was immediate.

keepingquiet Wed 17-Jul-24 20:34:13

MacMillan were very helpful to my family in this regard.