Is he entitled to attendance allowance

PPJ

Not absolutley sure, but I don't think you can back-date.

However, they do take account of the date you first contact them. So, it would be worth phoning DWP today to request the application form. They will give you a reference and you can enter this on the form when you submit it. That way, your father will not lose out any further while you're gathering all the info for the form.

AGB863

smartiepants wrote:

He receives his retirement pension monthly.

Does anyone know if it is ever possible to backdate a claim for attendance allowance in these circumstances, surely someone should have given us some advice on this matter, or is it really just up to the individual to find out for themselves, any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. xxxx

You can not back date a claim for attendance allowance ( or DLA)

smartiepants

THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU :T

I just wanted to let all the people who helped me on this thread know that I received confirmation yesterday that my Dad will receive £60.60 per week from 25th January, the date that I asked for the information pack. You all made my life just a little bit easier when I first posted this thread, Human kindness is a wonderful thing, Thankyou again. xxxx

margaretclare

smartiepants wrote:

He receives his retirement pension monthly.

4-weekly, you mean (13 times a year) i.e. not calendar monthly.

Does anyone know if it is ever possible to backdate a claim for attendance allowance in these circumstances, surely someone should have given us some advice on this matter, or is it really just up to the individual to find out for themselves, any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. xxxx

No, it can't be backdated. Except for a terminal condition, the person has to have been suffering from the condition for 6 months before the claim.

Alzheimer's is certainly a terminal condition. Claim on that basis!

Regarding whether someone should have given you advice, it would be nice to think that this always happens - but it doesn't, in my experience, and you have to look out for yourself (and your family) in this world.

Best wishes

Aunty Margaret

smartiepants

Hi Auntie Margaret
Thanks for the reply
Yes my Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer and Altzheimers at the end of last August, does this mean that we should be able to backdate a claim to the date of first diagnosis? Your help is much appreciated

margaretclare

smartiepants wrote:

Hi Auntie Margaret
Thanks for the reply
Yes my Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer and Alzheimers at the end of last August, does this mean that we should be able to backdate a claim to the date of first diagnosis? Your help is much appreciated

I don't know, is the answer to that. Can someone more knowledgeable come in on this one?

Certainly he *should* have been able to claim AA when the diagnosis of those two terminal illnesses was made. It's a crying shame that SOMEONE didn't mention this at the time - but whether anything can be done to rectify the situation now, I really don't know.

Sorry!

Aunty Margaret

Dora_the_Explorer_5

Wouldn't you think that every elderly person diagnosed with a terminal illness should be given this information as standard!

A doctor will normally tell someone their illness is terminal according to the circumstances and often not say anything unless the person or a family member asks.
Although Alzheimers is dreadful I don't beleive it's classed as a terminal illness as it can only be accurately diagnosed after autopsy. It's actually quite rare and most people who are forgetful and confused have dementia which has a multiplicity of causes and is not a terminal illness. The vast majority of people with dementia die from a physical illness although cognitive impairment will usually appear on the death certificate as a contributing factor.
I'm pretty sure AA can't be backdated but do check with DWP in Blackpool. As far as I know if it's awarded the award will be from the date of the claim. Hope this helps to clarify things a bit.

suzyq

Doubt if your claim will be back dated for A.Allowance. I tried without success as my father has Dementia. He received the benefit from the date that I sent for the application pack.
You may also be able to claim Carers allowance depending on your circumstances. Another piece of useful information is, some water companies will give you a reduction on your water rates if you are in receipt of this benefit, or on DLA if on the highest rate and you can demonstrate that you need to use more water, due to incontinence, ie such as having to change bedding and wash clothes etc on daily basis.

margaretclare

Dora, I thought that Alzheimer's could be diagnosed on brain scan, where irreversible changes were seen within the brain?

Aunty Margaret

Dora_the_Explorer_5

Yes it can, but hardly anyone is offered a brain scan because of the difficulty getting the patient to stay still and calm and the likelihood that it's dementia anyway.
I'm afraid that older people are a seriously neglected group when it comes to health care. For instance national guidance on stroke is that people should be scanned within 24 hours of the event, sadly in my local acute health trust if you're over 60 you'll be lucky to get a scan within 24 days.