Attendance allowance

Attendance Allowance is a government given benefit from the Department of Work and Pensions. It is for people over the age of 65 who need help with social and personal care because they are physically or mentally disabled (for example: washing, dressing or eating). It is available for those who need to be looking after by day and/or overnight in case help is needed. The benefit is not a means tested benefit so therefore eligibility is based on need and potentially available to everyone.

Pensions Service advisor you spoke to was wrong when they said your mother will no longer be entitled to Attendance Allowance. This only applies if her fees are being paid by Social Services. If she is self-funding she is still entitled to AA.

Powers of attorney should be set up long before the person needs it and certainly as soon as they have been diagnosed with Alzheimers. Once somene is deemed to be unable to give their rational reasoned consent to handing their affairs to another person the POA has to be done through the Cout of Protection and this should be avoided at any cost.

DH and I have already set up powers of attorney with our children as attorneys. The fact that it is set up does not mean that it has to be activated. My parents did the same thing when they were in their 60s but it was not activated until several months before my father died at 92 when ill health meant he could no longer manage his own affairs.

ninathena it should only be stopped if she is being funded. If she is self funding it should continue.

Have just informed the Pensions Service that mum is now in permanent residential care. They told me that her AA would be stopped as she is no longer being "attended" at home.

Mum has Alzheimer's so cannot claim herself, but despite accepting me as mum's "agent" and being satisfied with my security responses over the phone they still want a copy of the LPA.

I would certainly advise you to get this done asap.

Chris Just a quick note,if you have to have any forms filled out get them done by a benefits advisor from Age UK they have the knowledge as to how the forms should be filled in to avoid any return of said forms that may make the application longer.

Thanks everyone. Will phone age uk in the morning.

Done it again - double click? Sorry!

Chris, If I were you, I'd get the lasting POA done as soon as you can. If you leave it until your mother is unable to sign, it will be too late and you will have the hassle of dealing with the Court of Protection. I have given my sons POA in case I become incapacitated. It can happen to any of us - any time. If your mother can't look after herself, she could (should?) be receiving Attendance Allowance. However, as kitty says, AgeUK can sort out all benefits issues for you, as can CAB.

Chris, If I were you, I'd get the lasting POA done as soon as you can. If you leave it until your mother is unable to sign, it will be too late and you will have the hassle of dealing with the Court of Protection. I have given my sons POA in case I become incapacitated. It can happen to any of us - any time. If your mother can't look after herself, she could (should?) be receiving Attendance Allowance. However, as kitty says, AgeUK can sort out all benefits issues for you, as can CAB.

I don't have power of attorney as there is no need as yet and we're in Stoke on Trent ( Midlands ) if I filled the forms out she still is able to sign for her self I just she wouldn't be able to communicate with the benefit office her self

Contact AgeUk. They will give you all you the advice you need.

You will need to be an appointee. Benefits office will help you with this. If you already have a power of attorney there will be no problem at all!
Which region are you in?

Thank you. Will need to phone the benefits office I'm guessing then. Can I claim on her behalf ?

In which case, yes she should be. If the spell in hospital was prolonged payability might be an issue!
As long as she is self funding there should not be a problem!
Hope this helps.