Re PIP & COPD

The_Shadow

My wife has COPD her only income is her state pension. She has been awarded a blue badge because of her walking difficulties. Could she claim DLA or PIP and what would the procedure be if she had to go for an assessment. She is very nervous about visiting doctors ect.

poppasmurf_bewdley

My late Mum had exactly the same. A social worker from the hospital came and visited her and arranged EVERYTHING. All her extra allowances, home help, etc.

Just ask at her hospital or doctors surgery for a contact number for a social worker.

Indie_Kid

She can claim PIP if she has care and /or mobility needs and is under 65.

rogerblack

Assuming that the OPs mum is over 65, as she's claiming her pension.

She cannot claim PIP, but needs to claim AA. Attendance Allowance is a benefit given to those who are found to struggle with various personal tasks around the home.
For example, washing, bathing.
NOT tidying up or ...

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/claiming-benefits/attendance-allowance/

In AA, it is assumed that at this age most people will have difficulty getting around outside - so there is no help with this aspect of life.

xylophone

Assuming that the OPs mum is over 65, as she's claiming her pension.

There are lots of women under 65 who are receiving state pension?

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/310231/spa-timetable.pdf

https://help.rnib.org.uk/help/money-benefits/benefits/difference might be relevant?

The_Shadow

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

My late Mum had exactly the same. A social worker from the hospital came and visited her and arranged EVERYTHING. All her extra allowances, home help, etc.

Just ask at her hospital or doctors surgery for a contact number for a social worker.

Many thanks for the response, will run that one by the wife

The_Shadow

rogerblack wrote: »

Assuming that the OPs mum is over 65, as she's claiming her pension.

She cannot claim PIP, but needs to claim AA. Attendance Allowance is a benefit given to those who are found to struggle with various personal tasks around the home.
For example, washing, bathing.
NOT tidying up or ...

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/claiming-benefits/attendance-allowance/

In AA, it is assumed that at this age most people will have difficulty getting around outside - so there is no help with this aspect of life.

Thanks for the reply, she is aged 63 and claiming her state pension. She has no other income or benefits coming in. I presume she can claim PIP or would you recommend AA. She now needs additional funds to buy a mobility scooter. PIP or AA would help with this.

rogerblack

The_Shadow wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, she is aged 63 and claiming her state pension. She has no other income or benefits coming in. I presume she can claim PIP or would you recommend AA. She now needs additional funds to buy a mobility scooter. PIP or AA would help with this.

If she's 63, then she would claim PIP instead.
If she can't walk most of the time more than 20m, in under twice the time it'd take most people, she would in principle qualify.

nannytone_2

it would be PIP.
i would strongly advise that you get help completing the forms from CAD/DIAL or welfare rights ( your council should have welfare rights workers)
you can ccontact social services direct and ask for an adult assessment.
they will visit at home and assess her care needs and may be able to help fund additional care.
i wouldnt suggest that a social worker helps with the PIP forms, as though they are more than happy to help, this area isnt really their speciallity

The_Shadow

If she goes for PIP what does the assessment consist of, is it a medical examination, bearing in mind she has COPD and all the medication and doctors records to back it up. She is very frightened with anything medical which has put her off applying in the past.

nannytone_2

most people that claim PIP have a face to face ' medical'.
iys more of an interview though, just going through what was put on the form and supporting medical evidence and discussing care/mobility needs.