Attendance Allowance: Upgrading from Lower rate to Higher rate.

Sinbad

My father current gets paid the lower rate but his deteriorating health warrants an increase to the higher rate.

I’ve looked at the application form on the .gov.uk web site and just looks complicated and long winded. It looks as though you can do it by post using the form AA1A but I’m guessing that’s going to be the same as the website.

Has anyone any experience of getting the upgrade and whether there is any other method to getting the increase.

Thanks
Paul

rogerblack

Generally, there is no other way - unless he gets a terminal disease.
In principle a report of a change in condition may lead to an existing award being removed.
It's best to fill the form in thouroughly, exmplaining everything in detail, and sending in any other evidence you have (for example a letter from you explaining his worsening condition).

It's important to remember that problems that cause difficulty getting around outside, or finding his way around outside do not count for AA.

Be_Happy

Be very careful. The criteria for claiming is getting more strict and as rogerblack says you could lose the existing award.

Note that the higher rate of attendance allowance does not depend on the amount of care needed, but when the care is provided ie must be day and night care.

Errata

Do you feel capable of filling the form in? AgeUK, DIAL and similar agencies understand which words, phrases, expressions are the most productive ones. If you don't feel confident, seek assistance.

Mojisola

Sinbad wrote: »

My father current gets paid the lower rate but his deteriorating health warrants an increase to the higher rate.

I’ve looked at the application form on the .gov.uk web site and just looks complicated and long winded. It looks as though you can do it by post using the form AA1A but I’m guessing that’s going to be the same as the website.

Has anyone any experience of getting the upgrade and whether there is any other method to getting the increase.

Thanks
Paul

I'm doing this for my Dad now. I phoned them up and they sent just the bit of the form that applies to the night to fill in. I don't have to redo the whole form.