This sort of thing annoys non disabled people

Errata

I take your point, but the DWP response appears to be a broad general opinion. As each case is judged on its merits a broad general opinion can't apply.
I'm surprised that the 'just in case' can hold as the qustions on the application form deliberately ask 'what help/assistance' is needed, rather than 'do you need someone with you just in case'. It's quite puzzling.

margaretclare

zaksmum wrote: »

Ridiculous! You haven't used any foul language and I can't see the slightest harm in saying "We British"! For God's sake...I don't believe some people.

Thank you for your understanding.

To the question above 'how do you spend your AA' I spend it on things I can't do for myself. Things which I used to do as routine, sometimes things I used to do for other people. Some of it helps with transport. Although DH and I are both eligible for a free bus pass this facility is useless to us because of our disabilities.

It has been recognised, in various places, that there is an anomaly in that DLA takes account of mobility needs but AA doesn't. Some of us think that this is grossly unfair and completely unrealistic. As krisskross acknowledged above, lack of mobility does impact in other areas of life.

p00

DUKE wrote: »

No one forces you to work p00, & there will always be people who don't work for whatever reason. How would you like to swap the little bit of tax that you pay for a serious illness?

What rubbish. I am not complaining about working - I like my job. I also do have ailments the same as anyone else.

I am merely asking is it fair that ANYONE can still claim disablement / benefits when they are out of the country for half or more of the year driving round in the sun in a motorhome or whatever.

And in fairness to all workers, how many can take most of the year of with pay?

This isnt about genuine claiments that are ill, since there are now many that have been deemed fit for work when they clearly arent, its about people who are in the system for donkeys years and get away with it.

margaretclare

zaksmum wrote: »

You can qualify for AA even if you live alone and are not actually getting the care you need.

Yes, this is absolutely true. I refer to http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Disabledpeople/DG_10012438

This talks about 'help with' and 'supervision'. It doesn't say 'actually physically washing someone'. It mentions 'help with getting in and out of bath or shower'. It has been many years since DH and I decided that neither of us was safe to get in and out of a bath, and we had the bathroom remodelled to include a shower cubicle rather than a bath. This was the one I fell out of. 4 years ago we had that one replaced with a wider door entry, more grab-handles and a lower step-in. I paid for that, cost approx £2.5K, so that was one way of using the AA money. Recently we spoke to a local supplier of disabled facilities - they put in wet-rooms or adapted showers, either for the consumer directly or via the local authority. To get it done via the LA means a wait of 18 months. I'm glad, therefore, that we've had the resources to do this ourselves.

The site above also talks about 'keeping an eye on you'. I take this to mean not actually 'doing things', just 'being there'.

I hope that people might stop referring to posts from 4 years ago. Nothing has got any better since then, and some things are perceptibly getting worse.

Now going to put DH's socks on, and ask him to put on my shoes and socks for me. He already did up my bra, earlier today. This is down to increasing muscle weakness in arm muscles, as well as lack of flexibility in legs.

krisskross

margaretclare wrote: »

Now going to put DH's socks on, and ask him to put on my shoes and socks for me. He already did up my bra, earlier today. This is down to increasing muscle weakness in arm muscles, as well as lack of flexibility in legs.

I've just put on my husband's compression stocking and sock on the other foot!

We also have a wet room set up and loads of grab rails after a visit from the occupational therapist.

My eyesight is getting progressively worse because of wet macular degeneration. He is profoundly deaf so he looks and I listen! Between us we make most of a whole person.

We have a decorator coming in next week to repaper the kitchen as we can no longer do it. Thankfully like you Margaret we have the money to pay to have it done.

Never easy to get old is it?

Errata

margaretclare wrote: »

Thank you for your understanding.

To the question above 'how do you spend your AA' I spend it on things I can't do for myself. Things which I used to do as routine, sometimes things I used to do for other people. Some of it helps with transport. Although DH and I are both eligible for a free bus pass this facility is useless to us because of our disabilities.

It has been recognised, in various places, that there is an anomaly in that DLA takes account of mobility needs but AA doesn't. Some of us think that this is grossly unfair and completely unrealistic. As krisskross acknowledged above, lack of mobility does impact in other areas of life.

But none of those things are personal care needs are they?
There is no anomaly, people of working age who receive the mobility component may be working and/or may be unable to walk.

clemmatis

zaksmum wrote: »

You can qualify for AA even if you live alone and are not actually getting the care you need.

I know. I receive DLA. I live alone.

clemmatis

margaretclare wrote: »

It has been recognised, in various places, that there is an anomaly in that DLA takes account of mobility needs but AA doesn't. Some of us think that this is grossly unfair and completely unrealistic. As krisskross acknowledged above, lack of mobility does impact in other areas of life.

Oh no, margaret, this is not an answer to the posts I linked to, or even to questions put here. As AA does not have a mobility component, it can only be claimed on the grounds of care needs. But if mobility problems give rise to care needs sufficient to justify an AA claim, then of course it can be awarded for the care needs. Krisskross' point is a red herring: her husband has (I simply accept her account) care needs that amply justify an award of AA for care.

I too believe it unfair that there is no mobility benefit for people over 65. But that's something to try to change, not something to try to evade, or obfuscate.

krisskross

Errata wrote: »

But none of those things are personal care needs are they?
There is no anomaly, people of working age who receive the mobility component may be working and/or may be unable to walk.

My husband is often unable to walk because of a relapse of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Nothing at all to do with being over 65.

We use a lot of his AA payments to pay for taxis or he simply wouldn't be able to get to doctor/chiropodist/dentist appointments. And he does like to get out of the house for pleasure as well!

We are off for a very carefully chosen week in Portugal tomorrow. Now mobility wise I could use public transport to get to the airport, he can't so need a taxi. £60 return.

zaksmum

margaretclare wrote: »

Thank you for your understanding.

To the question above 'how do you spend your AA' I spend it on things I can't do for myself. Things which I used to do as routine, sometimes things I used to do for other people. Some of it helps with transport. Although DH and I are both eligible for a free bus pass this facility is useless to us because of our disabilities.

It has been recognised, in various places, that there is an anomaly in that DLA takes account of mobility needs but AA doesn't. Some of us think that this is grossly unfair and completely unrealistic. As krisskross acknowledged above, lack of mobility does impact in other areas of life.

It doesn't matter how you spend your AA - that's your business. You could spend it on whisky if that's what makes you feel better!