Attendance Allowance change to Higher Level

Toddster747

My Mum (aged 91) has been receiving the Lower Attendance Allowance for a couple of years now. In September 2023 she had a fall and went into hospital. She was discharged from hospital in October but was placed in a nursing home as her requirements had increased to include 24hr care. I rang the DWP and asked if she was entitled to the higher rate. I completed the form and sent it in. Today (26/02/23) I've had a letter from DWP confirming her entitlement to the higher level, but only from the 8th March 2024. I rang the helpline to ask why this was not applicable from the date of the claim and was told there was a six month period from the claim date that was not covered. They counted the hospital stay as the first date of entitlement hence a March payment start date. It seems ridiculous that the DWP insist on any changes being notified immediately (with possible fines for non-compliance) but they allow 6 months to change to the higher rate. If they had backdated the claim to the day notified (which they do with new claims) I would have been happy, but this is grossly unfair. Apparently they will only change the level from lower to higher immediately (or backdate it) in the case of a terminal illness and a life expectancy of less than 12 months.

Alice_Holt

Contact your MP if you are unhappy about this issue.

Brie

That appears to be a change of policy as it used to be backdated.

8dayweek

Change in policy? Isn’t it the case with AA that the care need has had to exist for 6 months - unless exceptional rules apply (i.e. terminal illness). 

Robbie64

8dayweek said:

Change in policy? Isn’t it the case with AA that the care need has had to exist for 6 months - unless exceptional rules apply (i.e. terminal illness). 

As you've posted, it's always been that the care need has to have existed for 6 months unless the special rules apply.