Attendance Allowance - Can You Claim Anything Else?

stressedoutmum

My mum has just this week been awarded AA at the full rate for looking after my dad who had a stroke. His stroke was about a year ago and he's just had a physiotherapist!. The physio told my mum to apply for AA as she has to do loads for my dad- Now its been awarded is there anything else they can claim for. They live in Scotland but I guess the benefits system is the same??

CIS

In most cases, it si steh same.

There's nothing specific, but based on income, they maybe entitled to claim pension credit (pays a higher rate for disabilities/carers) and council tax benefit/housing beneit.

jenniferpa

AA - attendance allowance is applied for by the caree (your dad). I'm assuming that what your mother has is a carers allowance. Can you clarify?

Jennifer

stressedoutmum

Yes its my mum who gets the allowance - dad applied for it after physio told him he should be entitled to it.

Edit: Sorry misread the questions. Its def attendance allowance as dad needs help getting dressed, around the house daytime and during the night (he doesnt sleep well!)

jenniferpa

I'm confused now (not hard at all!). Your father should be getting attendance allowance (currently £60.60 a week at top rate) while your mother may be entitled to carer's allowance (potentially 46.95 per week, but pensions and other payments can reduce this).

Jennifer

lynzpower

I was also advised last week, you dad could claim direct payments, after assessment in tandem with AA, so he needs to speak with the LA Social services about this and ask for an assessment.

healy

Yes you are eligible to apply for Carers Allowance.

jenniferpa

Normally I would say it wouldn't hurt to try, but carer's allowance can affect the carees (is that a word?) allowances, so I would advise you to check it out carefully.

Jennifer

jenniferpa

There is an upper earning threshold (£84 after certain deductions). See this

Jennifer

stressedoutmum

Jenniferpa:

Sorry didnt make myself very clear my dad claims for attendance allowance and he gets about £60.60 per week (its the top rate). My mum doesnt claim for anything. They just receive the £60.60 attendance allowance. (they all sound the same to me!) My dad does receive a very small pension from years ago which means his state pension is taxed.

jenniferpa

Does your mother get any kind of pension? She may be eligible for the carer's allowance. The other thing you should look at is local organisations that may be able to provide services at a reduced rate. For example, where my Mother was living before there was a group that would provide respite care at far below the going rate. You should also, as CIS pointed out, look at pension credits. Also make sure that your parents tax coding is accurate - depending on your father's age, it may not be.

Winter fuel payments and cold weather payments are also available, although it depends on your parent's age. Do your parents have central heating? There are grants for that as well.

Are you familiar with this site: http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/retired/at-home-scotland/home.asp ?

Jennifer