Attendance allowance scrapped?

ed123_2

Is the attendance being scrapped ie (from 8/4/2013 along with dla) and replaced by pip? Or will it continue?.....thanks ed

Indie_Kid

It will continue. Only DLA for people between 16 and 65 will be affected.

ed123_2

Thanks for the reply IndieKid. I would therefore think (anyone over 65) should claim attendance allowance rather than pip.

HB58

Anyone over 65, who does not already get DLA/PIP must claim attendance allowance (if they have the relevant care needs, of course!).

ed123_2

But someone who has been claiming dla and becomes 65 next year, could they choose to claim attendance allowance instead of pip? (ie which would be easier to get)

airliner

There is no mobility element in Attendance Allowance so if a claimant was in receipt of the Mobility element in DLA it would be wise to continue on DLA and wait to be reassessed for PIP - if applicable.

Morglin

ed123 wrote: »

But someone who has been claiming dla and becomes 65 next year, could they choose to claim attendance allowance instead of pip? (ie which would be easier to get)

No, they can't just change their group.

However, if their assessment to be transferred to PIP, when it happens, was rejected, and the award was closed, then there would be nothing to stop them claiming AA, after that.

Of course, they would be assessed for AA as a fresh claim, and may get turned down.

And, as has been pointed out, there is no mobility component to AA, as there is for DLA and PIP.

Lin

HB58

There is currently no suggestion that people over the age of 65(ish) will have to switch to PIP (although I suspect it will happen at some stage).

Morglin

Yes, I expect it will - this government are making lots of noises about pensioners no longer being protected against bedroom tax, capping, tv licenses, bus passes, fuel allowance etc., after 2015.

I expect, if they can, they will try to move pensioners to other benefits.

Lin

tinkledom

Morglin wrote: »

Yes, I expect it will - this government are making lots of noises about pensioners no longer being protected against bedroom tax, capping, tv licenses, bus passes, fuel allowance etc., after 2015.

I expect, if they can, they will try to move pensioners to other benefits.

Lin

I don't see why they don't just have PIP with an under 65 part and an over 65 part. The over 65 part would not allow any claim for mobility issues, just care needs.


As it is now we have DLA for the under 16's and over 65's, PIP for the those under 65 and over 16 and AA for those over 65.


All of the 'extras' should be means tested (Guaranteed Pension Credit recipients only) - bedroom tax, capping, tv licenses, bus passes, fuel allowance etc.,


To be honest of the £12.25bn+ of unclaimed benefits every year, most relate to those over 65. So it is clear that those over 65 wouldn't miss any cuts considering that they don't even claim for what they are currently entitled to anyhow.

Morglin

Why should all of the 'extras' be means tested?

Most of today's pensioners worked a lot of years (as there was full employment through most of those years), and have surely paid in enough to get a few extras.

If they restrict bus passes, then loneliness, with all it's potential health issues, will cost the NHS more anyway.

Ditto the fuel allowance - hypothermia is a serious problem, with the elderly.

Unclaimed benefits go across the board - there should be better advertising of all benefits.

Lin