DLA & Attendance Allowance

backpack

Why is it that you can only claim DLA until 65 years of age but after 65 there is only Attendance Allowance that can be claimed. Many people over 65 still need help to keep them mobile, but cannot claim for any financial help towards the cost of mobility products. Surely this is unfair as many over 65,s are still able to keep active especially if they can get some help to do so?

rogerblack

Because that is what the government has decided.

The policy explanation is that reduced mobility is to be expected as we get older.
DLA is (broadly) granted not because you have needs, but because you have needs in excess of the normal person. Is this reasonable justification for a hard cutoff for new disabilities arising after 65, well - many would say no, but this isn't really the place to discuss that.

Mobility can lead to an AA award - it's just that it has to be mobility around the house, not outdoors.

Mojisola

backpack wrote: »

Why is it that you can only claim DLA until 65 years of age but after 65 there is only Attendance Allowance that can be claimed.

Many people over 65 still need help to keep them mobile, but cannot claim for any financial help towards the cost of mobility products. Surely this is unfair as many over 65,s are still able to keep active especially if they can get some help to do so?

If you're getting DLA Mobility before you reach 65, you can continue to claim it.

If an over-65 needs help with mobility products, they can ask for an OT assessment. Depending on their income, the OTs can supply all sorts of mobility aids and other things to help with independence round the house.

Indie_Kid

But if you claim AA, then you can use that to buy mobility products?

backpack

Rogerblack, I know that is what the government has decided, but isn't this discrimination, if the disability an over 65year old has is not caused by ageing??
Where is the best place to discuss this?

rogerblack

backpack wrote: »

Rogerblack, I know that is what the government has decided, but isn't this discrimination, if the disability an over 65year old has is not caused by ageing??
Where is the best place to discuss this?

Discussion time, or with your MP.
You could try to raise an age discrimination case, but the government is in fact allowed to discriminate if it is for good cause.
Financial reasons are one 'good cause'.
An age discrimination case would need to be through judicial review.
This needs to involve a barrister - and it's really questionable that it's at all possible.
There is not an automatic right to challenge laws you disagree with. There have to be certain classes of errors with the law in order for it to be possible.

backpack

Thank you all for your input.

I feel strongly about this subject because receiving DLA helps with modifications to a car if one has problems driving because of a disability. To be entitled to Attendance Allowance one has to need supervision in the home during the day, night or both, when just some help to keep mobile is needed. A big difference between each benefit. On the scrap heap when 65 years of age reached!!

Thank you all anyway for your comments. I am not bitter and twisted but just feel that the way some benefits are considered are not appropriate.

margaretclare

backpack wrote: »

Thank you all for your input.

I feel strongly about this subject because receiving DLA helps with modifications to a car if one has problems driving because of a disability. To be entitled to Attendance Allowance one has to need supervision in the home during the day, night or both, when just some help to keep mobile is needed. A big difference between each benefit. On the scrap heap when 65 years of age reached!!

Thank you all anyway for your comments. I am not bitter and twisted but just feel that the way some benefits are considered are not appropriate.

Yes, I agree with all of this. My mobility problems are of long standing - early wear on the hip joints, but although I did use to receive a mobility allowance some years ago, once I had hip replacements (before my 50th birthday!) I was deemed to have had my mobility returned and lost the allowance.

DH is a case in point. His mobility problems are caused by having had 5 knee replacements - yes, 5 - in about 6 years, and one of them gives him continual pain and only able to walk short distances. He is unwilling to go for the other option that was suggested - above-knee amputation.

You can see from this that we need our car to have any sort of quality of life. DH can only get into the driver's side and needs an automatic because he can't use his left leg. So, he uses his AA for car costs.

backpack

margaretclare wrote: »

Yes, I agree with all of this. My mobility problems are of long standing - early wear on the hip joints, but although I did use to receive a mobility allowance some years ago, once I had hip replacements (before my 50th birthday!) I was deemed to have had my mobility returned and lost the allowance.

DH is a case in point. His mobility problems are caused by having had 5 knee replacements - yes, 5 - in about 6 years, and one of them gives him continual pain and only able to walk short distances. He is unwilling to go for the other option that was suggested - above-knee amputation.

You can see from this that we need our car to have any sort of quality of life. DH can only get into the driver's side and needs an automatic because he can't use his left leg. So, he uses his AA for car costs.

Margaretclare, you have hit the nail on the head, a persons quality of life should be taken into consideration. I am sorry for you husbands pain and I wish you both well.

margaretclare

backpack wrote: »

Margaretclare, you have hit the nail on the head, a persons quality of life should be taken into consideration. I am sorry for you husbands pain and I wish you both well.

Thank you very much for the kind words. The first knee replacement that he had, 12 or 13 years ago now, has worked well and been fine. The other....I could write a book about. The 3rd replacement that he had became infected, blew up a septicaemia and he nearly died. There's very little bone left to anchor another replacement but he opted for the 4th replacement rather than the amputation. As he says, he hopes to meet his Maker with all the legs that he was given. Graveyard humour really.

However, many people do not understand. We frequently get involved in arguments about why people of our age should still want to drive: 'after all you can use your bus pass'. Well, not so easy. Walking to the bus stop, being jolted about by bus-drivers who aspire to be Lewis Hamilton, standing...never mind the fact that there often isn't a bus to the places we like to go. We've been on one budget airline flight, and that was only because we live near a little airport which has been redeveloped in recent years after being bought by Stobart and we wanted to try it out. Not good. We're planning to drive to Switzerland in the summer. Sitting in the driver's seat with his back supported is about the only place where he's comfortable. I didn't mention spinal surgery last year! Fortunately he got the AA and that's what he chooses to use it for. He knows, sooner or later, the leg amputation will happen, but he's resisting it as long as he can. In addition, we are both advanced drivers and have done refresher courses in driving, so we resent a lot when people say 'oh you shouldn't be driving at your age, you needn't drive..' etc etc.

In fact we're changing the car today, trading in the 09 for a 13 registration. The same model but newer, upgraded Fiesta, which we find comfortable and easy to drive. Just a year old, and probably the last car we'll ever buy.

backpack

Yes, I believe a lot of people whose mobility is good do not understand the needs of those with a mobility problem, also the physical pain that is also often present.

My nearest bus stop is too far away for me to walk, I have been driving a manual car but now need to change to an automatic. I do not qualify for any financial help towards the cost of changing my car because I have never claimed any benefits. I have purchased all of my own aids for the home including a stairlift and now will struggle with purchase of automatic car.

I am pleased that you are able to get some help and I hope that you enjoy your new car.
Take no notice of negative comments, those people may be in the same situation someday (hopefully they won't).