Mother in law - Is she entitled to disability help?

Fu_Man_Chu

Hi, I'm getting increasingly concerned for my wife's mum. She has been in poor health and overweight for a number of years but has always kept on working. Over the last 2 years her health has deteriorated rapidly and she has thankfully now took the decision to retire.
She has a heart condition that means she cannot walk more than a few yards without becoming exhausted. 
Over the last few weeks her car has packed in and as mentioned she cannot walk beyond the end of drive so as a result she isn't leaving the house and is becoming increasingly depressed.
My question is, is she entitled to some kind of help with motability? Either a vehicle or possibly a scooter? Also would she be entitled to a blue badge to aid with parking?

She's never claimed any benefits and I'm pretty clueless about these things.

Can anyone advise please?

Thanks 

DE_612183

Probably needs to start with a PIP assessment.

see the government website of how to kick of the process.

Fu_Man_Chu

DE_612183 said:

Probably needs to start with a PIP assessment.

see the government website of how to kick of the process.

Thanks but PIP seems to be for anyone that hasn't retired

Misslayed

From what you’ve written, it sounds like she has heart failure - or heart inefficiency if you (like me) object to that name. There is a website called Pumping Marvellous which is dedicated to providing accurate, up to date information about all the issues people with HF face, including benefits, and they have an excellent private support group on facebook. The British Heart Foundation also have excellent advice and resources, although I don’t find it as user friendly. 

Heart failure in itself does not entitle her to any benefits, it’s how she is affected by it. I have severe heart failure and I do get Attendance Allowance (I’m over state retirement age) and I have a blue badge, but I also have other issues. It’s definitely worth getting help from someone who has experience of the forms to help you fill them in (on MIL’s behalf). It seems that the criteria for a blue badge vary greatly in each local authority, I’m sure the forms are available online. 

Fu_Man_Chu

Misslayed said:

From what you’ve written, it sounds like she has heart failure - or heart inefficiency if you (like me) object to that name. There is a website called Pumping Marvellous which is dedicated to providing accurate, up to date information about all the issues people with HF face, including benefits, and they have an excellent closed support group on facebook. The British Heart Foundation also have excellent advice and resources, although I don’t find it as user friendly. 

I'll give it a look, thanks

itsthelittlethings

Has she reached state pension age? If not she can still claim PIP. This can be a long process. If she is over state pension age it would be attendance allowance but I think that is harder to get.

Also, if she does not have savings over £16,000 she could start a claim for universal credit (if under state pension age) to help with rent and living expenses. She should say that she is not able to work due to a health condition, and provide doctors notes until she has a work capability assessment.

If she is over state pension age, she should claim state pension. Also she may be able to claim any other pensions she has if over 55 but this will not necessarily be to her advantage as it would reduce the amount of universal credit she would be entitled to.

Albermarle

There are effectively two separate routes to get help.

She can apply for disability benefits, such as PIP until she reaches state pension age.
There are different levels of award and she would need to get the higher mobility award to be able to get a Motability vehicle.
However whatever award she gets, if she gets one, it could be used towards a private car if desired.

Separately she can ask the local authority for an assessment. They would be the ones that would organise any care needed and maybe suggest some equipment to help her get around, up steps etc .

There is a lot of info online. Citizens advice, Age UK etc 

Fu_Man_Chu

itsthelittlethings said:

Has she reached state pension age? If not she can still claim PIP. This can be a long process. If she is over state pension age it would be attendance allowance but I think that is harder to get.

Also, if she does not have savings over £16,000 she could start a claim for universal credit (if under state pension age) to help with rent and living expenses. She should say that she is not able to work due to a health condition, and provide doctors notes until she has a work capability assessment.

If she is over state pension age, she should claim state pension. Also she may be able to claim any other pensions she has if over 55 but this will not necessarily be to her advantage as it would reduce the amount of universal credit she would be entitled to.

I've just spoken to her and she is receiving the lower bracket of Attendance allowance. I cant for the life of me think why she isn't entitled to at lease a blue badge if I get her car back on the road

Fu_Man_Chu

Albermarle said:

There are effectively two separate routes to get help.

She can apply for disability benefits, such as PIP until she reaches state pension age.
There are different levels of award and she would need to get the higher mobility award to be able to get a Motability vehicle.
However whatever award she gets, if she gets one, it could be used towards a private car if desired.

Separately she can ask the local authority for an assessment. They would be the ones that would organise any care needed and maybe suggest some equipment to help her get around, up steps etc .

There is a lot of info online. Citizens advice, Age UK etc 

I'll take a look, thanks

Spoonie_Turtle

She can apply for a Blue Badge separately; if she's below state pension age to claim PIP then the Blue Badge application is likely to be quicker than the PIP application.

How long is her driveway, for some frame of reference for the distance?  The threshold is not being able to repeatedly walk 50m without excessive pain/fatigue/breathlessness.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge#people-who-may-get-a-blue-badge

Savvy_Sue

She may now be entitled to the higher rate of AA, but I am not sure what the criteria are - possibly that she needs help at night as well as by day. 

itsthelittlethings said:

Has she reached state pension age? If not she can still claim PIP. This can be a long process. If she is over state pension age it would be attendance allowance but I think that is harder to get.

I thought the reverse was true, but maybe things have changed and it's harder to get AA these days. Still, definitely worth a look. 

The Blue Badge may not be trivial but is well worth applying for: 

Spoonie_Turtle said:

She can apply for a Blue Badge separately; if she's below state pension age to claim PIP then the Blue Badge application is likely to be quicker than the PIP application.

How long is her driveway, for some frame of reference for the distance?  The threshold is not being able to repeatedly walk 50m without excessive pain/fatigue/breathlessness.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge#people-who-may-get-a-blue-badge

My late FiL definitely met that criteria, but failed to get his badge on the first attempt, needed an appeal.