DLA changing to Attendance Allowance

teddysmum

vlad wrote: »

I agree with anmarj,however there is a suspicion that once they have transferred all the 16-64 year olds to PIP then they will scrap the mobility component part of dla for over 65s to bring it more into line with AA which has no mobility component

With limited finance they have to draw the line somewhere, but it can be very unfair.


For instance, the press carried the story of a lady who lost a leg at 66. Her husband found pushing her wheelchair difficult and said he didn't know what they would do when their old car packed up. If she had been able to claim mobility, they wouldn't have that problem, but they are now far worse off than someone 'lucky' enough to claim at 64.

Retired_at_55

Thanks for all the replies.

Retired at 55

vlad

teddysmum wrote: »

With limited finance they have to draw the line somewhere, but it can be very unfair.


For instance, the press carried the story of a lady who lost a leg at 66. Her husband found pushing her wheelchair difficult and said he didn't know what they would do when their old car packed up. If she had been able to claim mobility, they wouldn't have that problem, but they are now far worse off than someone 'lucky' enough to claim at 64.

The assumption under AA that all those over 65 have mobility problems anyway was/has always been debatable

teddysmum

vlad wrote: »

The assumption under AA that all those over 65 have mobility problems anyway was/has always been debatable

I suppose the mobility until 65 is based on covering everyone until State Pension age, so they can go to work, but what about the new later retirement ages ?

margaretclare

vlad wrote: »

The assumption under AA that all those over 65 have mobility problems anyway was/has always been debatable

Some years ago now I was told differently. DLA with mobility was meant to cover the fact that a younger disabled person may still be trying to stay in employment and therefore needed to be mobile.

The person who told me this was a Benefits Adviser at Citizens' Advice. She said 'once you're over 65 you don't need to go anywhere. You don't need a car to stay mobile'. She also explained that AA doesn't cover things like making a meal whereas DLA does. 'You can always get meals on wheels'.

DH and I both get AA and one of the things we use it for is car costs. The gentleman described by teddysmum could consider doing similar.

Incidentally, with us there is always the possibility/probability that DH will need an above-knee leg amputation and that seems to be looming larger. The knee that was replaced 4 times, that blew up a near-fatal septicaemia in 2008, still has a long-running low-grade infection. He's now on another course of antibiotics and I've lost count of how many that has been this year. If/when that eventuality occurs we'll definitely need a wet room conversion. He's a very courageous and determined guy and all I can do is go along with what he decides and be there for him.

Newly_retired

AA, DLA or PIP mo ey can be spent on anything you like. There are no checks on how you spend it.
Whilst at the moment, if you are already on DLA once you reach 65 you keep it, who can say what changes this government might make in the future?
Younger people on DLA may have been awarded it indefinitely, but this government has changed that.

melbury

My OH has been awarded PIP and is not due for review until he is 66. Will he be able to reapply for PIP? I always assumed that it would be AA when you reach pension age.