Carers allowance vs Attendance Allowance

margaretclare wrote: »

No, the argument and nasty comments were as recent as last weekend. I am not entitled to AA according to some. I don't know why I should feel it necessary to justify my claim to a benefit which has been granted me or to defend my honesty, but for anyone who thinks I'm not eligible to it or that I'm getting it by suspect means, then read my comments and Ted's.

So respond to the relevant thread, the argument clearly is not here!

Margaret, following your advice on another thread (which has now been removed) - thankfully someone contrdicted your advice - I visited a benefits advisor and benefits solicitor.
They told me more or less what JuneBow has just said.
Attendance Allowance is for someone who cannot do things for themselves eg washing, dressing, toileting etc, rather than someone who like yourself appears to have mobility difficulties.
You also advised "Always write the 'worst-case scenario'. If you can sometimes do it, don't put that - always write it as if you can never do it. Some days are better than others, in other words - always write it as if every day was a bad day."
I have now been told that this is benefit fraud and I was not prepared to do that.
I would urge other people on this board to read on the different requirements for Attendance Allowance and Mobitily Allowance so that they are clear when they complete their claim forms and to be completly honest on the forms.
I am sure there are not many who are so greedy as to lie on the forms, after all, these benefits are for those who are in need, and you are not stealing from the government, or the tax payer, but from those who are less fortunate than yourself.

This thread is not about benefits policy. It is about the application of the benefits policy in how to help people get the benefits they deserve.

Can I explain, for the benefit of those who are not clear, the difference between mobility benefits and attendance benefits(eg AA and DLA care component)

Mobility benefits are intended for people who have difficulty walking, or need someone with them when they walk (aimed usually at mentally handicapped people etc, who might get lost) You cannot claim this if you are over 65.

Attendance Allowance is for people who need help with personal care like washing, dressing, toileting etc. It has nothing to do with mobility. However, if you cannot do these things it would be likely you would be entitled to mobility benefits if age were not a restriction.

With regard to intermittent problems, you should not mimimise or maximise your condition, as there have been several cases where claimants have been videoed performing tasks when they have said they could never do these things. They should have said they could not usually do them.

It is indeed correct to say that if you usually cannot do certian things that you should be honest about this, because, 7DWE, you are correct, most of the population would be able to do so.

Incidentally, on the AA claim form, you are asked "how long do you need help for" Usually, you need to need help for around 5 hours per day to qualify for the day or night rate. This usually equates to your personal needs during the day eg getting up and dressed, eating, toileting and feeding.(daytime rate) or a substantial part of the night turning etc(night time rate)

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I agree with Margaret about what to put on the forms - I think she just explained it in a way that can be ambiguous.

I did not see any ambiguity in what she said. She said "if you can sometimes do it, don't put that, always write as if you can never do it."

This is benefit fraud. It is a lie.

When she discusses her own attendance allowance claim, it is clear that she suffers from mobility issues. However, as I have explained, her issues have nothing to do with attendance allowance. If she can wash herself, dress herself, etc she must have lied to get the benefit, which is disgraceful.

I think it is also appalling that many people who are legally entitled to claim benefits do not get them, through ignorance, and fear of the benefits system. This is what these boards are about, especially posts like this which discuss the criteria for the various benefits, and the differences between them.

I hope that my post has made clear the differences between the benefits and will encourage people who are legally entitled to claim to do so, whilst discouraging those who are prepared to lie.

These replies are extremely useful who wants to legally claim benefits, and I cannot see where there is a lack of tolerance or respect. They are simply disagreeing about something which has been said. Is that not allowed.
Margaretclare has indeed been around for a long time. But that does not mean that she deserves any more or less respect than anyone else. Perhaps if she, herself had shown some level of tolerance or respect for others she would not come in for so much of the critisism which she frequently receives.
She has already said that she can do anything except lift a certain weight (10lb was it), yet she claims a benefit which is meant for people who cannot look after themselves. Where is the amiguity or unclear wording in that?
She has opened up an old thread - goodness knows why, if not to debate her entitlement- yet when she has clealy been shown to have been less than honest on her claim forms, she chooses not to re-enter the debate.
mmmm? I wonder why?:rolleyes:
I thank those who have contributed to the thread to enlighten and help those claim benefits which they are legally entitled to.