Attendance Allowances

f77ms

I get PIP at the enhanced level for care only, apparently if you are over pension age then any mobility issues are considered as normal aging which of course is not true. I struggle mainly with mobility since my terminal cancer diagnosis. I would love to have a cleaner and occasional gardener but i just cant afford it. I had to pay over a thousand to have a stair lift and £40 a month on top. I wondered if AA would be more money but can't find the info and whether one can swap.

You are incorrect in saying that mobility issues are considered as normal ageing for PIP purposes. If you were in receipt of a PIP award which was due for renewal after you reached state pension age, your application for renewal would be considered on the same criteria as before - decision makers have no facility to end either the mobility or the daily living award on age grounds. If you renewed the claim after you reached state pension age, check your decision paperwork as that will tell you the reason for the withdrawal of the mobility component - it will be because they assessed you as no longer satisfying the eligibility conditions, and nothing to do with your age.

Are you sure you haven’t already been migrated onto AA ? I ask because if your PIP claim began BEFORE, and was due for renewal AFTER you reached state pension age, you have to respond to the DWP’s request to do so and complete the renewal paperwork within the allotted time frame - if you don’t, the claim lapses. If you allow it to lapse after you have reached state pension age, there is no facility to reapply for PIP and no right of appeal - you would then have to make a fresh claim for AA. In answer to your question, the rates of AA, PIP and DLA daily living component are all the same.

Mouseybrown60

I believe that cares allowance ceases once the recipient claims state pension.

That’s correct, because state pension is classed as an income replacement benefit. You can’t receive the full amount of both carers allowance and state pension, or any other income replacement benefit the same time. However, if your state pension or other income replacement benefit is is less than carers allowance (currently £67.60 per week), you can get a top up for the difference. For example, if your state pension/other benefit is £50 per week you can get £17.60 per week in carers allowance

If your state pension or other income replacement benefit is more than carers allowance it might still be worth making a claim, as you can still get an 'underlying entitlement' - in other words you meet the conditions for carers allowance but it can’t be paid because it ‘overlaps’ with other benefits. If this is the case for you, you should be sent a letter confirming your 'underlying entitlement' to carers allowance and it can actually increase any means-tested benefits you are currently getting, or it could mean that you become entitled to means-tested benefits for the first time (depending on your and any partner's income and capital). This is because having the 'underlying entitlement' means that an amount called the ‘carer addition’ will be included when working out whether you are entitled to other means-tested benefits. Hope that’s clear.

I filled in the form for my DH - all 27 pages of it. I downloaded it from the Government site and I went slowly and carefully . When I sent it off (by email) I included scans of medical reports for every specialist we've seen, copy of his updated prescription - everything. We got the lower rate which is OK as it's only now and then he needs me in the night.

The form is logical and there is a space where you can write stuff you couldn't find a particular reply box for.

I didn't find it difficult but as I say, I went slowly and methodically and read it over a couple of times before sending it off.

I did my own application for AA some four years ago. Just followed advice of answering ALL questions as truthfully as possible, BUT for how I am at worst times,

Did not find it difficult at all. Many pages did not need completing as I was applying totally on physical problems, not mental ones.

Did not consider 'what do they want/mean by that question'.

I was granted the High Level, and this money has made my everyday life so much easier and more comfortable as I have used the money to purchase different aids both in and out of my home. Just be truthful - no need to use any buzz terms, etc.

First thing to note is that you can't claim until you've needed help for six months.

I claimed on my husband's behalf as he needs full-time care during the day. He only needs occasional care at night with toileting or nightmares so he was awarded the lower rate. That is a huge help to us - he pays our cleaner which means I am free to take care of him (which both of us prefer to him paying an attendant and me doing the housework).

I filled in the form - it wanted full details of his medical condition, copies of his prescriptions, doctor's letters, hospital appointment letters etc. Also full details of how he is affected by his condition - several times in different sections of the form. I am well used to this type of form so was able to deal with it myself but if you are not good at this kind of thing, definitely as Age UK for help.

The form can be downloaded, completed on your computer and then uploaded with supporting paperwork, or you can request a paper form and send that back. I don't know which is quicker but my husband's claim went through in 8 weeks and I used the online version.

The money is awarded indefinitely and is not means tested.

Also, if you are a carer and are earning less than £128 you may be entitled to Carer's Allowance. This is only £60 p.w. but it's a help. I retire from my paid job at the end of June (I work from home in the mornings) and will be claiming as soon as my P45 arrives.

Even if financially there seems no point in claiming Carers Allowance, it may be worth it as you will then have an underlying entitlement. This can mean additions to other benefits.

Usernames. If your dh needs help at any time in the night, you are entitled to the higher rate of AA. Talk to AgeUk or CAB about appealing that bit.