Assistance for Pensioner Amputee

LilElvis

Alice, thank you so much for the invaluable help - the advice and links will be a huge help in making the application.

The lady concerned is a diabetic who has been struggling for several years with ulcers on her legs, and they have now effectively eaten through the ankle ligaments on one leg - the wound is open to the bone. She has open wounds on the other leg too so she is already struggling, despite aids/ adaptations, to care for herself and has been pretty much housebound since last year. Sadly, as the second leg is also compromised and has only one vein remaing, a second amputation might be needed though they are trying desperately to treat it.

By coincidence she lives in Church Crookham, so very close to your namesake forest

Thank you once again - my sister will really appreciate being pointed in the right direction for assistance as her family will have a lot to do in the next few weeks and beyond.

LilElvis

Just to update and thank those who offered assistance and signposted resources. My sister's family applied for Attendance Allowance and it has been approved!

Sadly the lady's health is very far from good - it looks likely that the amputation will require revision as it is still not healing properly and the ulcers on her remaining leg are now down to the bone too, so a second amputation is almost certainly going to be needed.

My sister and her husband were very grateful for the advice given and said it made a confusing situation far more easy to navigate, so thank you once again. :T

Newly_retired

Great to read that the AA claim was successful, thanks to advice given, but sorry to read of the poor state of health which led to the claim.

I would second Alice’s advice that it is a really good idea to get help with forms such as AA, PIP and the like. My mother got AA years after she would have been entitled and only because she had help with the form. She was always keen to make the best of her situation and to minimise her difficulties, rather than spell them out. I have helped clients who were very reluctant to tell it like it is, as it brought home to them how restricted their lives had become, sadly. They were all genuine claimants.

Codhead

Hi, new to the forums and a current Admin Officer/Decision maker on Attendance Allowance. Alice's advice is spot on, AA is a self assessment benefit and a well written claim form will make all the difference between a first time award and having to ask for a reconsideration.