Attendance allowance

My neighbour, aged 73, receives AA. He has cancer, but its not stopping his way of life. he is independent, walks the dog, goes to a supermarket driving himself. He can still do decorating. He was told by MacMillan, who applied for it, that its his to spend as he pleases. He buys a lot of scratchcards ! He was also given a blue badge. However, my sister in law, too has cancer and is quite poorly and certainly needs it and does receive it. She is housebound now and has carers and has had to stop driving. That money for her pays for carers and a lifeline. That l can understand , but him???

JanT8

Please get Age UK to help, they sent out one of their advisers to our home and her help made all the difference.
Don’t forget these people are used to dealing with those forms, whilst you’re not.

Totally agree…they helped me no end…my first application was also refused.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/before-you-claim-attendance-allowance/check-if-entitled-to-attendance-allowance/

I receive AA first for day only then after 6months I applied for night as well. Reason being that I applied for night as I kept losing my balance and the stairs are near our bathroom I was afraid of falling down the stairs and also the problem of getting to the loo. When I applied things like getting a meal ready, doing the ironing, help getting in the shower without falling we’re all taken into consideration. A local disability group helped me fill in the form and were brilliant. So just get some help and anything you can’t do, how ever little put it down.

Borrheid55

I had a chat with DWP the other day about this. If you need help with ‘bodily functions’ several times a day and particularly at night, you should be eligible. I am housebound due to a balance issue ( permanently) but because I can look after myself in the house, I don’t qualify for AA. I can’t go out on my own as I am at risk of falling but AA isn’t for outside issues. It is for needing help with washing, dressing, loo visits etc. I was told if things change to reapply. You can add to the mandatory reconsideration form if the decision hasn’t been made. Good luck!

Please do not take benefit from DWP! Go to an independent advice agency like Citizens Advice! If you have a balance issue that stops you going out then I really doubt it causes you no issues in doors! Eg do you struggle standing in a shower or lifting pans of water often people assume that the compensations they have to make mean they can manage but the rules are around reliably, regularly and safely!!

I have had lower end Attendance Allowance for many years now but when I applied for upper end was refused.
I have to use a walker and in severe pain in both knees because of severe arthritis which started twenty five years ago. I have difficulty in getting in and out of bed made worse because I have to get out and in every two hours to urinate.
I am alone apart from an hour or two daily although help is available at the end of a phone. I cannot stand without hanging on to something with one hand.
I cannot understand why some people get a lot of help and others not.

I agree with Hillygirl, both my partner and I get AA, but have totally different needs. We are in fact co-carers. I can’t walk much and have to use 2 sticks, I am deaf, have chronic back issues after an operation went wrong. My partner on the other hand is end of life due to cancer and now have. Areas twice a week, but can still do most things.neither of us could change a bed or do gardening. Ace Uk did hours, visited the house and used all the consultants papers for prove of need. They seldom get a refusal as they are experts.

Try approaching the Welfare Rights team at your county council and ask whether they can help you fill the appeal form.

I am in receipt of Attendance Allowance, live alone and have no assistance from anybody.
The questions are looking not only at the extent of direct care but also at the tasks which the applicant finds difficult, but manages nevertheless. The help therefore can be in the form of inanimate objects which enable one to manage. For instance - I have difficulty in walking, so I use a walker. I have difficulty in getting up the stairs, so I have had handrails installed either side. I have difficulty in showering, so I have a walk-in shower with a seat. I have difficulty getting in and out of bed, but manage by hanging on to the furniture. I have difficulty in cooking, so I have ready meals. I have difficulty in shopping, so order everything online. And so on. The form covers the strategies and adaptations you have had to make in order to live independently.

My mum got AA. Admittedly she was living by herself so we needed to go with her for appointments etc so we could 'translate' for her. She needed help with tablets etc. We literally put everything on the form. We also have a neighbour who got Age UK to help with the form. They know exactly what words to use. You can't be proud in this situation. It's definitely worth trying again.

An extremely helpful lady from Age Uk came to help us fill in the form for my husband . Couldn’t have managed without her. Application was successful.

It's important to give full, comprehensive answers on the form. Ask AgeUK or your local CAB to go over the form with you. We helped MIL fill it in and thought it was designed to stop people claiming!

Borrheid55

I had a chat with DWP the other day about this. If you need help with ‘bodily functions’ several times a day and particularly at night, you should be eligible. I am housebound due to a balance issue ( permanently) but because I can look after myself in the house, I don’t qualify for AA. I can’t go out on my own as I am at risk of falling but AA isn’t for outside issues. It is for needing help with washing, dressing, loo visits etc. I was told if things change to reapply. You can add to the mandatory reconsideration form if the decision hasn’t been made. Good luck!

Your case sounds exactly the same as my husband and he was refused AA and yet it was a hospital consultant who told him to apply as he did qualify.

Now that you have a decision( refusal) you need to complete the Mandatory Reconsideration form. Write as much as you can. Explain why you are adding things previously omitted. Not all decisions are changed at this stage but it is a necessary part of the process as you cannot appeal to a tribunal until the MR decision is received.

Please get Age UK to help, they sent out one of their advisers to our home and her help made all the difference.
Don’t forget these people are used to dealing with those forms, whilst you’re not.

Standard response.

Borrheid55

I got this from DWP in response to my request for clarification on the decision they made to decline me AA

Goodness. It seems a bit excessive.

Thank you so much for the info ,I didn't know where to start.

I would put it on the mandatory reconsideration form as it’s attached to the original claim. I found out that half of claims are declined on first application due to insufficient details of the care you are receiving/ giving. Think of the worst day and report on that.

Should I put everything on the mandatory resolution form or am I allowed to send in another aa claim form with rectified mistakes on ,is that allowed I'm not sure what would be acceptable

I got this from DWP in response to my request for clarification on the decision they made to decline me AA

Just found out they have refused him aa anyway even though he's completely deaf, and we were told to apply for it ,so being stubborn and embarrassed doesn't get you anywhere ,can we try again how long should we wait or just forget it now

He his perfectly able to understand just too damn stubborn ,I told him there is no point applying for it and then not telling them everything

Where has that come from Borrheid?

Just arrived in post. Hope it clarifies eligibility!