PIP For 68 Year Old?

Scarla

Am I correct in thinking that my Dad, who is 68 can't apply for PIP/DLA?

He lives alone, and is in receipt of his state pension & private pension. He gets too much to receive Housing Benefit.

He has problems with nerves in his spine and legs and is having severe mobility problems, he can't walk very far without having to stop, approx 200 yards then he needs to sit down. He can't stand for very long at all and shuffles along, even having trouble carrying a 4 pint carton of milk from his car to his flat (not very far at all).

He's also having to lean on work-tops at home whilst cooking, struggles to get his socks on, can't vacum and finds it difficult to carry out the most basic of tasks, including personal hygiene.

He has worked all his life, until these problems forced him to stop and would ideally like to save up to buy a mobility scooter.

Can anyone please advise. Thank you.

pmlindyloo

Scarla wrote: »

Am I correct in thinking that my Dad, who is 68 can't apply for PIP/DLA?

He lives alone, and is in receipt of his state pension & private pension. He gets too much to receive Housing Benefit.

He has problems with nerves in his spine and legs and is having severe mobility problems, he can't walk very far without having to stop, approx 200 yards then he needs to sit down. He can't stand for very long at all and shuffles along, even having trouble carrying a 4 pint carton of milk from his car to his flat (not very far at all).

He's also having to lean on work-tops at home whilst cooking, struggles to get his socks on, can't vacum and finds it difficult to carry out the most basic of tasks, including personal hygiene.

He has worked all his life, until these problems forced him to stop and would ideally like to save up to buy a mobility scooter.

Can anyone please advise. Thank you.

Your dad needs to apply for Attendance Allowance. It is not means tested so millionaires can claim it.

https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/overview

Go to CAB or a /welfare benefits advisor/AgeUK for help to complete the form. AgeUK can be particularly helpful and in some areas will visit at home.

Also ring the local council and ask for an adult social services assessment. They will be able to suggest aids that may help your dad/carer services.

billywilly

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Your dad needs to apply for Attendance Allowance. It is not means tested so millionaires can claim it.

https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/overview

Go to CAB or a /welfare benefits advisor/AgeUK for help to complete the form. AgeUK can be particularly helpful and in some areas will visit at home.

Also ring the local council and ask for an adult social services assessment. They will be able to suggest aids that may help your dad/carer services.

I agree, AA is the only benefit available. But beware, the ease with which a pensioner could get an award has halved. It used to be more than a 7/10 chance a few years ago for a first claim: that has now changed to a 4/10 chance now since it was tightened up by the DWP - far too many were getting it for spurious reasons in the past.
My father had it awarded 7 years ago without even filling out a form! He just sent them a letter saying how old age was making life difficult for him. Being old was previously accepted as a good reason to award it.

Mojisola

Scarla wrote: »

He has problems with nerves in his spine and legs and is having severe mobility problems, he can't walk very far without having to stop, approx 200 yards then he needs to sit down. He can't stand for very long at all and shuffles along, even having trouble carrying a 4 pint carton of milk from his car to his flat (not very far at all).

He's also having to lean on work-tops at home whilst cooking, struggles to get his socks on, can't vacum and finds it difficult to carry out the most basic of tasks, including personal hygiene.

You can't get AA for mobility problems - concentrate on explaining his care needs.

Indie_Kid

Mojisola wrote: »

You can't get AA for mobility problems - concentrate on explaining his care needs.

Housework doesn't count either.

Scarla

Thank you all for your replies. It's the mobility, or lack of, that is affecting him the most.

Mojisola

Scarla wrote: »

He's also having to lean on work-tops at home whilst cooking, struggles to get his socks on, can't vacum and finds it difficult to carry out the most basic of tasks, including personal hygiene.

Scarla wrote: »

It's the mobility, or lack of, that is affecting him the most.

Get help to fill in the forms and explain his care needs.

Scarla

Thank you, I will

billywilly

Mojisola wrote: »

Get help to fill in the forms and explain his care needs.

And make sure that you have good evidence that backs up what you put on the from. Anybody can say anything on a form, proving it is another thing.

Scarla

billywilly wrote: »

And make sure that you have good evidence that backs up what you put on the from. Anybody can say anything on a form, proving it is another thing.

That will not be a problem. His GP is obviously aware of his problems, his consultant is aware of his problems after having many CT and MRI scans over the last couple of years and injections into his spine etc.

He has visited me today and I have noticed he is getting worse, he doesn't think he would be able to walk to the end of my garden which isn't very far at all. I am going to do some cleaning for him this week, so will be able to judge better just what he can and cannot do within the confines of his flat. Then he will be applying for AA.

I must admit, I am confused as to why there is a cut off age (64 years-old) for DLA/PIP though.

Thank you all for your replies.

xylophone

It might be helpful to look at this https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/406113/aa1a-print-jul-2014.pdf