Help for dad

calcotti

Pollycat said:

From GOV.uk
Attendance Allowance: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

It does state on there:

You do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim.

I'm not sure if the forms are clear on that as it's some years since I completed them for my Mum.

The guidance notes that go with the form are clear
"Even if you are not actually getting the help you need, you can still get Attendance Allowance."

Pollycat

calcotti said:

Pollycat said:

From GOV.uk
Attendance Allowance: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

It does state on there:

You do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim.

I'm not sure if the forms are clear on that as it's some years since I completed them for my Mum.

The guidance notes that go with the form are clear
"Even if you are not actually getting the help you need, you can still get Attendance Allowance."

I would have that that would be the case.
So, it's odd that the OP thinks her Dad isn't eligible as he lives alone and another poster says he/she knows other people who think they aren't eleigible.

Marjrie

I want to thank everyone for the very useful replies. Dad does get the single occupancy discount on his council tax.
I have looked at the Attendance Allowance requirements, I don’t think he will qualify as not only because he lives alone, he’s fiercely independent and apart from gardening or decorating he manages quite well. He does get out of breath because of his heart condition.
His biggest worry is managing his money. 

calcotti

Pollycat said:

calcotti said:

Pollycat said:

From GOV.uk
Attendance Allowance: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

It does state on there:

You do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim.

I'm not sure if the forms are clear on that as it's some years since I completed them for my Mum.

The guidance notes that go with the form are clear
"Even if you are not actually getting the help you need, you can still get Attendance Allowance."

I would have that that would be the case.
So, it's odd that the OP thinks her Dad isn't eligible as he lives alone and another poster says he/she knows other people who think they aren't eleigible.

Because people often reach conclusions without reading the information available!

calcotti

Marjrie said:

I have looked at the Attendance Allowance requirements, I don’t think he will qualify as not only because he lives alone, he’s fiercely independent and apart from gardening or decorating he manages quite well. He does get out of breath because of his heart condition.

Certainly AA is about managing personal care. Gardening and decorating are definitely outside scope!

Pollycat

calcotti said:

Pollycat said:

calcotti said:

Pollycat said:

From GOV.uk
Attendance Allowance: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

It does state on there:

You do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim.

I'm not sure if the forms are clear on that as it's some years since I completed them for my Mum.

The guidance notes that go with the form are clear
"Even if you are not actually getting the help you need, you can still get Attendance Allowance."

I would have that that would be the case.
So, it's odd that the OP thinks her Dad isn't eligible as he lives alone and another poster says he/she knows other people who think they aren't eleigible.

Because people often reach conclusions without reading the information available!

Should be a lesson learned.

Marmaduke123

Marjrie said:

I want to thank everyone for the very useful replies. Dad does get the single occupancy discount on his council tax.
I have looked at the Attendance Allowance requirements, I don’t think he will qualify as not only because he lives alone, he’s fiercely independent and apart from gardening or decorating he manages quite well. He does get out of breath because of his heart condition.
His biggest worry is managing his money. 

Has he got a lasting power of attorney (LPA) for finance and property? If not perhaps he should set one up. If you were his attorney and could manage his money for him, maybe he would worry less.

slowcars

peteuk said:

Have you looked at any of the Service charities (RBL, SSAFA or Single Service Benevolent Funds) to see if that provide a little support.  

With £34,000 in the bank I doubt that they would be able to source additional funding or grants. But you never know. stranger things happen.

slowcars

Pollycat said:

I'm not sure if the forms are clear on that as it's some years since I completed them for my Mum.

I can see how the description of this benefit could cause confusion.

OP - it's really important how you answer the questions on the AA claim form.
Maybe try to get an appointment at CAB or Age Concern for advice.

I'm glad that you mentioned that- my late father spent the last 11 years of his life as a widower. He too found the claim form confusing and poorly written. So much so that unbeknown to me he put the form in the rubbish bin and forgot about it. He stuggled every day with age related issues and simply just got on with living the best way that he could.
When I found out all of this, I obtained a new form and helped him complete it (much against his wishes as he was rather difficult to deal with). Anyhow he was awarded AA at the day and night rate. He died 6 months after receiving the award having spent the previous 10 1/2  years iin unnecessary difficulties. 

Brie

There are different levels of AA and perhaps he would qualify for the lower level at this point.  This might include things like the fact he may need help getting food to the house because he can't drive or can't walk from the bus stop with heavy bags.  It's not a huge amount of money but it might be useful.

Glad to hear he's getting the single occupancy bit for the council tax.

You say he worked in construction.  You/he should check if he ever was in the building and construction workers pension scheme.  He may have known it as the builders "holiday club" as it covered a bit of pay for when people in the trade took a week off.  Last I heard of it it wasn't a big benefit but it may be a few pounds towards the bills.  I think it was called B&CE but when I google I'm coming up with people's pension so that might not be right.  You might try contacting these people as they are likely to be more up on what else is/was available - Construction Workers’ Pension Scheme (CWPS) - Construction Industry Federation (cif.ie)

Also there should be another payment being made to the elderly for heating etc - I think it would be £600 for your dad.  Winter Fuel Payment | nidirect

And as others have mentioned - do you have POA in place for him?  Again - he may be very independent but having these things set up when they are not needed means life is easier when they are needed.  It was a proper pain when we needed to get my MiL into a care home as there was no one to look after her and she didn't want to go but couldn't look after herself (not even get out of bed).  The alternative normally is to go to court to get a decision made.  So both the health and wealth POAs should be put in place so you can help dad when he does need the assistance.

Something that also is helpful and is great to have set up before a POA needs to be activated is for someone (you?) have third power authority on his bank account(s).  He is still completely in charge but should he need you to do some shopping for him, or can't get to the bank or you have concerns about him being scammed you would be able to go online and deal with things or legally go to an ATM to get out cash etc.  The alternative to this is to have someone (you?) added as joint on the bank account(s) it's a bit more control which he may not be comfortable with but again you will be allowed to help him manage things as things progress.  

Great to hear he still enjoys his gardening.