Query re attendance allowance

Do pleased to say my sister has been granted the top amount of DLA, she only sent the form in at the end of OCtober and suddenly found extra money in her bank.no explanation of letter.but then someone rang to say money goes on first letter after.
She expected it to take longer for a decision.as the letter confirming form had been received said could take up to 11 weeks.

SporeRB.thank you .just wondered .I have been to an appeal before with.my son compared to anything like a court room.it is very re!axed really ,
If anyone does need to go personally it is nothing too frightening ,just a few people Sat round a table with you and anyone you want to take to help you

veejay

Spore RB Did you husband get it straight away or did he have to appeal'to have it increased ?

Yes, my husband got it straight away without having to go through an appeal.

i realise that this is a revived thread, but Don'tknow raises a valid point that deserves an answer.

The reason AA doesn't have to be spent on specifically getting the care for the problems listed on the form, is because often it is not possible to remedy the problem. For example: if you have problem with your mobility, severe arthritis or breathing problems, there is little you can do to sort the problems out, short of having 24/7 carers and even if the staff etc were available, the cost of such help would far exceed the value of the Attendance Allowance. carers cannot resolve incontinence problems

What Attendance Allowance does is acknowledge that the level of your disability has reached a stage where it makes it very difficult for you to live an ordinary life, and remember an ordinary life includes one free of mental illness and depression and where you an continue your ordinary life, probably not wild swimming, but getting to a Knit and Knatter session, or to the local old peoples centre.

Most people on AA live at home and home conditons vary enormously, as does whether you live alone or not. For this reason AA is given to people for them to spend as best suits them to improve their lives. In the years I was a Home Adisor, clients bought very practical items like orthopedic beds, special chairs, and other aids to living. One man had a tv so old he had to get out of his chair to change channels because it was pre-zapper. One of the first things he bought was a new tv with a zapper. He had severe arthritis and often watched programs he did not want to see because it was too painful to get up and change channels. I could write reams on the things money was spent on to improve peoples quality of life, even if it could do little to mitigate their disability.

I agree that the forms are too complicated, both for AA and DLA.
Although the PIP form is long, at least there are clear criteria for being awarded points, so it is easier, if you take the trouble to understand how it works, to complete the forms appropriately.

Blondiescot

Grantanow

The form to claim AA was not designed to make claiming easy. It took three of us to help our late mother fill it in.

It certainly is not. I'm convinced it was actually designed to put people off claiming. I'm far from stupid and more than used to having to fill in all kinds of forms and official paperwork, but the AA form was an absolute nightmare.

Totally agree, I can’t remember how many pages it was but I think it was over 30. Many questions were very similar, only slightly tweaked so it felt as if I was repeating things. I completed it online so was able to save it and keep returning to add more points as they occurred to me.

I kept putting it off as it was such a huge task for a fairly small sum of money, especially if 24 hour care was not needed. Eventually Mum went to live in a care home because she was no longer safe to live alone and then the form became much easier to complete as her care needs were more obvious. As she was self funding, she was still entitled to claim AA but the amount, less than £100 a week, was a drop in the ocean compared to the £1150 per week care home fees!

Spore RB Did you husband get it straight away or did he have to appeal'to have it increased ?

SporeRB Thank you for this advice I believe she haS applied now,she saw someone at age concern who advised her not to as she could lose the lower rate.it did put her off applying but she decided to go to the Cab for another opinion ,and the lady she spoke to said it could happen, but in her case was a minimal risk and helped her fill in the form .
I hope that is the case as she wouldn't manage without that extra money.but very worried still now

veejay

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

Veejay, your sister has to write to DLA 65+ tell them that her circumstances have changed and she needs more help with personal care.

They will send her a DLA 65+ form with 2 sections, 1st section mobility – do not fill this part just indicate ‘no change’, and fill the 2nd section on personal care.

My elderly husband also received the low rate DLA for personal care which was recently increased to DLA middle rate. This rate is equivalent to the standard rate for attendance allowance since he does not need any help at night.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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/

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.

Thank you

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

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