Query re attendance allowance

Yes I think you are right Cabbie, I didn’t think I needed it, then one day when I was really at my worse I thought maybe. So I had help with someone filling it in for me as I couldn’t even think straight at the time, I was told it would take some time to get a reply but it can back as accepted after just two weeks. I think they looked at my medical conditions and the fact that I was retired on the grounds of ill health that got it through so quickly.

I’ve just come across this thread. Is AA something my 94yo mother should apply for? She’s currently in hospital but will be returning home soon with a four-times-a-day care package. I think it is funded by the council to begin with but will be means tested eventually.

Thank you.

yes, if she needs carers, she almost cert would get AA, at higher rate probably.
find someone to help with the form.
experienced with the forms.
good luck.

M0nica

The amount of fraud associated with Attendance Allowance is infinitismal. Very few get it who do not qualify it. In over 10 years, I cannot remember a single case of fraud being discovered or someone getting it who wasn't entitled to it. I speak as someone who did this work for over 10 years and reviewing, mentally, not just my clients but clients at my branch of Age Concern.

Does that make it right? So rare, but I agree with GermanSM. If the form is filled wrongly, then it is fraud. I am afraid I know a lot of cases like this and it is plain wrong.

i know of lots of people who have not applied who should, and many who should have applied months/years earlier than they did.
this experience is borne out by advisors etc.
i reckon there are far more in this category than any fraudulent claims.

I am sick to death of the word fraud being branded on here GSM does not know the whole story, none of do, we don’t know what the conversation was between the person filling in the form and the poster. The person helping is someone who knows what she is doing, she has been trained in this area and probably picked up on something that was said for them to fill in the form as they did, Enough has been explained in this thread that personal care does not mean just just washing and bodily functions.

SuDonim ask AgeUk or CAB for help filling the form in.

Here they will request the form for you which is a more efficient way of doing i

Thank you for the responses! I’ll definitely look into it. I’m surprised the Social Care team putting in place the package for my mum haven’t mentioned it.

OP I'm to be given £92 a week .... But I don't need anything like this amount. The lady at Ageuk has put me down as needing help going to the loo during the nights .. when I don't , and help with bodily functions, which I don't.

I'd think you may want to ask for a review determining that you need no help with bodily functions. Perhaps the "form filler" misunderstood what you meant at a certain question.

You certainly wouldn't want to have a form about you, filled in incorrectly. I'd prefer no money handed to me instead of handed out wrongly in my name.

Are people at age UK.trained in how to help fill n these forms.or would CAB be best.my sister needs to claim for more help ,she gets the lower rate already .but things have got worse over the last 9 months
She has problems getting in and out ( mainly out ) of the bath.and as shower is above the bath .still awkward as when washing hair and a eyes closed sometimes goes dizzy.she is having grab rails put in to make it easier.but still has trounle getting out over the bath side

Either AgeUK or CAB will be able to help you or signpost you to a better option

Thank you

Veejay, the Higher rate of AA is only available if a claimant has needs both DAY AND NIGHT. Night does not include going to bed at the proper time. It means during the night.
Standard rate is for Day OR night and she has already got this, it seems. I am guessing it is for care needs during the day? If so, it can’t be increased just because her daytime needs are now greater. Does she need help eg to get to the toilet and back into bed during the night?

A different route might be to enquire about aids to help with bathing. A GP might make a referral to Adult Social care services via the council. The Ted Cross can also provide aids. Or speak to Age UK.

www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/what-youll-get

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/before-you-claim-attendance-allowance/how-much-attendance-allowance-you-can-get/

Sorry I should have made it clearer.it is the lower rate of DLA she gets.not attendance allowance
She has been advised by a friend to enquire about getting more help.

Also just had a g,all bladder operation which certainly has not helped matters

How old is she? If she is under pension age, she will probably be asked to fill out a claim form for PIP.

Thank you for the links, Cabbie. They’re very useful and I’ve learnt a lot.

My sister is 77_I have similar problems.and recently fell after going dizzy in the shower while washing my hair.but I already have grab rails I am 79_:but have never applied for anything.

Should say I do have problems getting out of bed.( Not getting in )due to osteoarthritis and painful shoulders can't put a my weight on my arms to push myself up.and a few months ago.got stuck in the bath for ages due to bad knees and weak arms

veejay ring AgeUk for advice on the benefits available to you.

It sounds like you would probably be entitled to Attendance Allowance.

I think I might after reading this.I have vertigo so not just dizzy sometimes
I dread it happening while outside.as it can be easily mistaken for being drunk.it renders you incapable of standing or trying to,
I have only had it so bad twice
Thank you I will definitely look into it

My sister made enquiries and was told she can't claim AS if she is already getting Dla.but maybe can claim the higher rate of Dla

If she is on DLA it may include a Mobility element which is not available with Attendance Allowance so she is better to stick with DLA if so.