Turned down for Attendance Allowance again

krisskross

My husband has been refused again. This was despite getting welfare rights involved, their advisor was convinced he would be a 'shoo-in' He and I cannot imagine what more he needs to be eligible. However he has decided he is not prepared to jump through any more hoops. I think the problem is that he is not forever in the Doctor's complaining about the pain, reduced mobility and dexterity from his rheumatoid arthritis, or the dizzy spells from the Meniere's disease, or the hypoglycaemic episodes from the diabetes.In fact in this cold weather he wouldn't even get the hundred yards to the surgery as he can't breathe at all in the cold weather so doesn't go out.

Still never mind, think we will now give up on this, we certainly are not going to beg, which is how he sees it. Must admit though I feel a bit bitter, although I console myself that at least we are not paying for his prescriptions.He takes 23 pills a day,28 on a Saturday, plus uses inhalers.

margaretclare

Hi

I am afraid that AA depends on the amount of help that he needs. If he can prove, for instance, that he needs to get up several times in the night to go to the loo but can't get out of bed without assistance and can't manage to go to the loo without assistance, that's more likely to achieve AA rather than not. I understand what you means about his nightly hypo episodes but my DH - who also occasionally has a hypo in the night - says that treatment is meant to prevent a hypo, not assume that one will arrive.

Also, he needs to show that he needs help with things like washing and dressing, as well as getting in/out of bed and getting to the loo. I am afraid that the amount of pain he's in will not be a factor, only the effects it has on the practical things of life.

HTH

Margaret

krisskross

Yes I do understand that it is all about the help he needs but, a lot of time he cannot lift his arms so needs help with washing and dressing. He cannot manage his medication, needs help with that. Does not even recognise a hypo so certainly needs help there.He has chronic lung disease so doesn't venture out in the cold. However it appears that because he is over 65 then these things are just to be expected. I just think it is all wildly unfair, once you get to 65 there is very little help. I am convinced that had we applied before he was 65 then he would have been given DLA.

newMS

so if you feel he should be entitled why not appeal or ask for a revision?, surely if your welfare rights worker has any gumption he/she would be saying this to you........... why do you think he would have got DLA, is that because he has more mobility problems than personal care needs ?

krisskross

Yes he does have more mobility needs. He has rheumatoid arthritis affecting his ankles very badly, plus he has chronic lung disease, apparently only 40% of normal lung function. He also has heart disease, has had triple bypass but gets intermittent claudicatin in his legs when he walks. All these things affect mobility, he can only manage about 30 yards on the flat without a rest.

I would appeal if it was me but as I said in my first post my husband is of the non welfare generation and he thinks it is begging, so doesn't want to appeal. Says he obviously isn't entitled to it otherwise he would get it. The only reason we applied is that we live in a country area with a only half a dozen buses a day and none on Sundays. Neither of us drive so thought a bit of extra cash would pay for a few taxi journies.

TOBRUK

From your description of the condition of your husband it sounds to me that he really should be receiving attendance allowance. With the medication he is taking he must be seeing his GP from time to time - have you spoken to your GP regarding this matter? Your GP could help a great deal with his claim as he/she will know about his condition and the difficulties he faces on a daily basis.

Also, have you been given the reason why he has been turned down? You can call them to ask:

If you think a decision about your benefit is wrong

If you think a decision about your benefit claim is wrong you can ask the office who made the decision to explain it. You can also ask to have the decision reconsidered and, if you're still unhappy, you can, in most cases, appeal against the decision.

According to the DSS website you have 1 month to appeal. If I were you I would call the office and ask for the reason he was turned down. I would definitely visit the GP.

Sorry I can't help, I know it is difficult especially when you feel guilty about applying for benefits (as your husband does) but you have to. They aren't handouts, they are what you are entitled to.

margaretclare

No, it's not true to say that 'once you get to 65 there is very little help'. AA is for the over-65s whereas DLA is for anyone up to 65. I agree there are different methods of assessing - for example for DLA it would be taken into account whether or not you could bend down to get a casserole out of the oven, for AA it's assumed that you can get meals-on-wheels (and I was told this by a Benefits Adviser at CAB when I used to go there).

I successfully applied for AA 2 years ago and I was over 65 then, so it's definitely not true. Mine expires in July and I don't mind - I've got a lot better since then, since the major hip surgery and I don't need the level of help that I used to need.

I don't know what you mean about the 'non-welfare generation' - if your husband is 65 he's 6 years younger than me, and I would apply at the drop of a hat if I thought that I was entitled. We were lucky enough to benefit from a WarmFront grant, a new boiler, the grant was £2,700 and I wouldn't have got that if I hadn't been on AA.

You need to appeal (again)!

Best wishes

Margaret

krisskross

TOBRUK wrote:

From your description of the condition of your husband it sounds to me that he really should be receiving attendance allowance. With the medication he is taking he must be seeing his GP from time to time - have you spoken to your GP regarding this matter? Your GP could help a great deal with his claim as he/she will know about his condition and the difficulties he faces on a daily basis.

Also, have you been given the reason why he has been turned down? You can call them to ask:



According to the DSS website you have 1 month to appeal. If I were you I would call the office and ask for the reason he was turned down. I would definitely visit the GP.

Sorry I can't help, I know it is difficult especially when you feel guilty about applying for benefits (as your husband does) but you have to. They aren't handouts, they are what you are entitled to.

Most of his medication is just on a repeat prescription basis although he has a blood test every month to monitor liver and kidney function as he is on methotrexate and suphasalazine. These drugs can have very toxic side effects. Also he is on long term steroids, these can compromise the immune system, leaving him vulnerable to infection

I have to really nag him to go and visit the doctor, he is convinced that nothing more can be done so sees no point in taking up 'the doctor's valuable time'.

I will phone and ask the reason for being refused but I know that my husband would much rather just let it drop now he has been told he is not entitled.

computerwoman

Have you thought of getting social services involved. they helped my parents so much when they were alive, they even filled out all the forms for them and sent them off, they were really good and it took the pressure off the rest of the family.
cw

krisskross

How do you access Social Services?

Think another problem is that until I retired I was a Senior Nurse Practitioner so am completely confident dealing with all his medical problems and have never felt the need to involve other agencies in his care, apart from our GP that is. we moved 6 months ago so changed GP practice. My husband has been seen about 4 times but by a different GP each time.

TOBRUK

I understand, I was reluctant to apply for DLA - my thought being I can manage and did not think I was bad enough to ask for help. I did eventually although I could have applied a few years earlier! Last year I was offered help at home, but I declined, and told the nurse that there were other people in greater need than I was, and to be honest I am fairly young and did not want to go down that route just yet. I know I live alone, but I rather struggle than accept help - a bit stubborn!

I know your husband doesn't want the fuss, but, you really should pursue it - why don't you speak to your GP and tell him/her how things are and also say how reluctant your husband is to pursue it because he is a proud man.

I am lucky with my GP, and she is always supportive gives all the help she can. She arranged for me to see an occupational therapist a long time back at the surgery. The fact that you were a senior nurse practitioner, knowing how to meet his needs in a way doesn't help in the fact that you feel you can or should manage without help - you must ask for help.

Please pursue it, I have seen people who are getting benefit who are in better shape than what your husband is!