Over 65 trying to claim disability allowance help

Morglin

Yes, it is well worth claiming.

I put in claims for both of my parents last year (they are in their 80's), and told the GP, as a matter of courtesy and in case they contacted him.

I don't think AA unit could have actually contacted him because they both were awarded the higher rate and we got the letters within about 10 days, which is extremely quick.

But, I did fill out the forms very fully, and attach a sheet of A4 paper giving more extensive details of their problems.

When they got the 'higher rate' award, I then claimed what was their entitlement to Carer's Allowance for each other, and although I knew they wouldn't recieve any payment, as it overlapped with their state pensions, it gave them both underlying entitlement to it, which enhances their 'premiums' for how much the law says they need to live on (applicable amounts).

This then meant that they got all their council tax paid, and were eligible for Pension Guarantee Credit, which gives them, along with more money coming in, free eye care and dental care.

So, for any pensioner who fits the criteria, it is well worth getting some help and pursuing the claim.

Age UK have more info:

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/claiming-benefits/


Lin

rock-on_2

Having looked again at what was in the rejection letter and looking at the information given on the form, it was blatantly obvious that whoever had picked the form up hadn't even read it.

On the form it was made very clear that the OH needed help with most everything during the day and at night, not continually, but for a good part of the time. The letter said he didn't need any help indoors. The GP is away at the moment but he does know about the claim it was he who suggested we make a claim especially with trips to and from the hospital for physio etc.

I realise that illness covers all age groups but it just seems that when you reach 65 and have never made any sort of claim before you just get pushed to the bottom of the pile. We try not to bother the GP or make any more fuss than is absolutely necessary, perhaps that's where the mistake was made. Unfortunately, over the past year the OH has been totally incapacitated several times and in constant pain all the time but I really don't think that the form was looked at properly.

The poor guy who lives opposite tried to claim for emergency help when he was diagnosed with cancer late last year. Believe it or not it was refused on the grounds that he didn't need help indoors. I think the hospital got involved but even then he only got the lower rate at first. Poor guy died before he received the higher rate he was 71.

dark_lady

rock-on wrote: »

Having looked again at what was in the rejection letter and looking at the information given on the form, it was blatantly obvious that whoever had picked the form up hadn't even read it.

On the form it was made very clear that the OH needed help with most everything during the day and at night, not continually, but for a good part of the time. The letter said he didn't need any help indoors. The GP is away at the moment but he does know about the claim it was he who suggested we make a claim especially with trips to and from the hospital for physio etc.

I realise that illness covers all age groups but it just seems that when you reach 65 and have never made any sort of claim before you just get pushed to the bottom of the pile. We try not to bother the GP or make any more fuss than is absolutely necessary, perhaps that's where the mistake was made. Unfortunately, over the past year the OH has been totally incapacitated several times and in constant pain all the time but I really don't think that the form was looked at properly.

The poor guy who lives opposite tried to claim for emergency help when he was diagnosed with cancer late last year. Believe it or not it was refused on the grounds that he didn't need help indoors. I think the hospital got involved but even then he only got the lower rate at first. Poor guy died before he received the higher rate he was 71.

This country seems to treat ill people with contempt rather than give them the help they need.

witchings

I have been trying to claim AA for my father who is practically blind with macular degeneration. The first claim form was not well filled in but lots of extra evidence was submitted with the form. After rejection a second claim was submitted with the help of Age UK and this too was rejected. The reasons given for rejection were e.g. does not need help with taking medication, etc., were actually included in the form as help my father needs. I can only assume that the person did not read the form!! We are currently waiting to go to appeal with this but, to be honest, I don't have much faith in the system.

sleepless_saver

witchings wrote: »

I have been trying to claim AA for my father who is practically blind with macular degeneration. The first claim form was not well filled in but lots of extra evidence was submitted with the form. After rejection a second claim was submitted with the help of Age UK and this too was rejected. The reasons given for rejection were e.g. does not need help with taking medication, etc., were actually included in the form as help my father needs. I can only assume that the person did not read the form!! We are currently waiting to go to appeal with this but, to be honest, I don't have much faith in the system.

Did you know that you can get help from RNIB with preparing for the appeal. If your father's main problem is due to the macular degeneration, they should be useful. See link, and their helpline number is 0303 123 9999.

witchings

Thank you sleepless saver, yes I had contacted rnib and they couldn't understand why the first claim had been rejected as we had given all the relevant information and then some! However, good news! After phoning dwp cardiff, and asking for a full explanation of the rejection, the decision has been overturned and my father has been awarded his attendance allowance at the lower rate. For other people out there my advice is just keep trying and maybe ringing the decision makers may be the way forward. Good luck to all.

glossgal

The best thing anyone can do when making these types of claims is to actually get accurate information about the qualifying criteria to save themselves some time and frustration. There are so many misconceptions- around disability benefits inparticular- and it can't be stated enough that it's NOT being ill that gets you an award of benefit it's the frequency (ie not just once or twice a day) and nature of the help needed.

witchings

After my father's first claim for aa was rejected we appealed to the tribunal service. It has taken over a year for his appeal to be heard but he has just be informed that his appeal was successful (even although they phoned him to say he need not attend the tribunal in person). This was based on information from over a year ago when his condition was not as severe as it is now! Yet his second claim was, at first, rejected even though his condition was worse. I hope this information helps someone in a similar situation.