Attendance Allowance 4 October 2016 at 10:44AM in Over 50s MoneySaving 16 replies 6K views

northwest1965

Dad lives with Mum and both have care needs. Do they both have to apply for attendance Allowance? Dad currently gets it. Is it per household or per person?

greyfox

It's per person.

Pollycat

Information here:
https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance

northwest1965

Thanks, gave printed the form off. Will look later or get help from Age Concern.

Pollycat

We applied for Attendance Allowance for my Mum a few years ago.

We were very thorough in answering the questions, we provided examples of what she couldn't do and why she needed help.

DWP rejected the claim with a load of .....well, basically ......nonsense.
For example, they said she could 'do things at her own speed'.
When someone is on life-critical medication and forgets to take that medication, 'own speed' is a load of tosh.

We appealed the decision, I did a 5 page letter detailing where we'd provided examples in the questions that they'd rejected and they approved the application.

It might be how you answer the questions, getting advice from Age UK or CAB is probably a good idea.

Is Adult Social Services involved with your Mum's care?
When my Dad was diagnosed with dementia, I phoned the county council and they assigned a worker to him, did a 'care budget' and we also had a visit from the local cottage hospital to assess what Dad needed at home.
They supplied grab rails and a stool for the bath.

Carer's Allowance - if the criteria is met and depending on the claimant's circumstances - could be claimed if the AA claims are successful.

Are you sure your Mum & Dad are getting all the benefits they are entitled to?

northwest1965

Mum has moderate stage Alzheimer's. & rheumatoid arthritis. She can pretty much make some breakfast & a cup of tea. Because of the Alzheimer's she has to be reminded to eat. Cannot go out unaided. Cannot shower alone.
I am waiting for adult social care to do an assessment. Dad gets a partial carers allowance and attendance Allowance. The council will do a benefit check. If Mum gets attendance Allowance then she also gets a council tax reduction due to Alzheimer's.

mad_spaniel

When filling out my Mum's AA claim form, I adopted the approach "what kind of state/ what difficulties would mum have/ be in, if left to her own devices in the house on her own" i.e. family often do things for loved ones without even thinking of it as care or supervision.

northwest1965

I am waiting for Age Concern to come and help fill the form out. They have to do it before Nov 16th. I don't think that they get a carers allowance, should I be asking Age Concern to check if they are eligible when they come out?

teddysmum

northwest1965 wrote: »

I am waiting for Age Concern to come and help fill the form out. They have to do it before Nov 16th. I don't think that they get a carers allowance, should I be asking Age Concern to check if they are eligible when they come out?

It's the person doing the care who gets carer's allowance , because 35 hours of care limit their capacity to work. https://www.independentage.org/information/money/benefits/carers-allowance?gclid=CIOwu_H5_c8CFUmeGwodKP4CDQ

malid

Northwest1965 - fill the form in yourself. It's not difficult and you will be best placed to answer the questions not an outsider.

Pollycat

malid wrote: »

Northwest1965 - fill the form in yourself. It's not difficult and you will be best placed to answer the questions not an outsider.

It's not just about answering the questions, it's about phrasing your answers in the right way.
That's where Age UK or CAB can provide valuable - and free - assistance.