How would it work if...

margaretclare

....a couple in their mid-70s were both claiming Attendance Allowance?

The things that you need help with, the other person does. Like help with dressing etc. But what if both need the kind of help envisaged for that particular benefit?

KxMx

Then i'd assume if they could not care for each other it would be down to an outside carer. That is what the AA is there to pay for.

McKneff

This is the ridiculous part of the system, a few months ago there was a post on here whereby one lady's husband got carers allowance for her, and believe it or not she also got carers allowance for her daughter who didnt even live at the same address.
Now how ridiculous is that.

margaretclare

KxMx wrote: »

Then i'd assume if they could not care for each other it would be down to an outside carer. That is what the AA is there to pay for.

But they may be caring for each other. I'm sure I've heard of this happening, have seen it mentioned on this site at some time or other, but don't know just how it would work.

McKneff

Nothing to lose by applying Margaretclare;)

rogerblack

KxMx wrote: »

Then i'd assume if they could not care for each other it would be down to an outside carer. That is what the AA is there to pay for.

Depends - imagine one for example who is blind, and the other having severe problems with arthritus.

They could both provide significant care for each other.

sunnyone

My husband and myself have very diffrent care needs so we help each other as it should be in a marrage.

I am a full time wheelchair user who also has RA in the hands and arms among other things so I need physical help to do things, my husband has stage 4 kidney failure and other health problems including a recent stroke and he needs a totally diffrent form of care including help to remeber things, watching over to keep him safe when he wanders and encouragment to eat/drink etc.

Neither of us claim carers for the other though.

Cranny44

I would claim AA for each claimant then if both awarded would claim carers for each other (benefit maximising) this would boost the pension credit if they are on it or may put them onto pension credit if not already.

All perfectly legit, care doesnt have to be physical as such and if you live together you easily clock up the required caring time.

Savvy_Sue

Until Dad died, both my parents were receiving AA, Dad at the higher rate. Neither of them had anyone claiming Carers' Allowance for them, they helped each other. the AA can be used for anything - to pay for care, to pay for equipment, to pay for taxis etc.

CA and AA are separate.

margaretclare

Thanks for the responses.

CA wouldn't apply to us because we both get state retirement pension. Nor does pension credit apply.

Yes, we both have different problems. B has been reminded of this only very recently because a friend of his has just died from the long-term effects of Type 2 diabetes. Another is in hospital probably needing a foot amputated - same basic problems.

It almost seems to me like a full-time job trying to forestall the long-term effects of Type 2 diabetes - he was diagnosed in 1981. Just as well I'm here in the night in case he goes 'hypo'.

The problems with his left knee - replaced 4 times between 2003 and 2009 - his consultant told him that 'it's as good as it gets'. We need the car because he couldn't walk very far, and can only get into the driver's side, not the passenger side.

Sooner or later I'll need the right hip revised, replaced in 1987. Every time I think 'I'm getting a bit better' some other darned thing crops up. I know we can't get any help with the car, but without it we'd be going nowhere.

Errata

I know we can't get any help with the car, but without it we'd be going nowhere.

If your OH can only get in the drivers side of a car, how about swopping your 2 door for a 4 door so he can sit in the back and youcan drive it?