How bad do you have to be to claim attendance allowance

krisskross

JohnnieW wrote: »

Krisscross, I am sorry you have been refused attendance allowance.
Please appeal. Statistically, more people are sucessful on appeal than on first attempt.
It truly is a shame when people like you who want to be honest and open about the level of help they need are turned down, yet others who are prepared to lie are sucessful.
Please appeal.

Thank you for the kind words.

If I am honest we really do not need the money for life on a daily basis but it would be useful to pay for taxis when he finds the bus too difficult. Like now really , he hasn't been out for a week because he can hardly walk, about 10 metres is his maximum at the moment. We live in a rural area and public transport is not too good

Because I am a nurse I manage his medication, blood testing and insulin etc so he seldom has to see our GP, and certainly doesn't need regular visits from a community nurse. The diabetic nurse and the rheumatology nurse do come to us to save him the effort though. I think this is where we came unstuck on our previous application as I can manage his problems without involving help so the GP just sees a guy who only goes to the surgery fairly infrequently. In fact the GP has given me a prescription for high dose steroids to be given when I think it is needed, such as now.

misriko

To krisskross,
My mother too was refused a. allowance, the truth was told and she had a rather horrible doctor come out to assess her and refused to acknowledge many things like the fac t she is unable to get out of bed on her own on very bad days. I'm sure this swayed the decision. I do believe in reappealing and have also made sure of this for my mum, unfortunately it is not made easy and sometimes you feel as if the questions are all trick ones, however maybe seeing your health professional may help.

TommyLee

misriko wrote: »

My mother too was refused a. allowance, the truth was told and she had a rather horrible doctor come out to assess her and refused to acknowledge many things like the fac t she is unable to get out of bed on her own on very bad days.

A close friend of mine had a similar experience with one of these 'NICE' DWP doctors. They too (my friend) had trouble getting out of bed, but the Dr kept insisting he wanted to see him 'walk - to the toilet & back' ........ but he just could not get up on his own out of bed, so he (my friend) told the doctor he would have to help him Get Up out of bed ............ the doctor did, eventually (to a fashion) after much huffing and puffing and hurt his back doing so!!!

If a Doctor does not know how to help someone get up, out of bed with out hurting themselves, then what hope has your average carer? .............. Only thing is, when a carer hurts them selves, it Tough Luck ............. when this Dr hurt his back, I bet he claimed Industrial Injury???

My point, if one of these Dr's asks you to do something like this, do not be afraid to ask THEM to help you?

getting-sorted-sarah

As has already been said, AA is payable for help with personal care, so to be entitled a person needs to need help (or attendance) for personal care - this is bathing, washing, dressing, toileting, and also being able to make a cup of tea/carry a meal.
Things like shopping, cooking a 3 course meal, gardening, getting about out doors and cleaning are not taken into consideration - and there is no benefit payable to older people who struggle with these things. However, the benefit, if awarded, can be spent on anything at all.
The higher rate (sometimes referred to as night-time rate) is paid to people who need attendance during the night as well as during the day - ie they need help to get up to the loo or they tend to wander, need medication, etc.
I would suggest being honest but not understating. Sometimes it helps if the applicant keeps a diary for a week before and makes a note of each thing that is difficult on a daily basis.
Finally - yes, Age Concern are likely to be able to help with this, either by filling the form or by giving advice - get in touch with them asap.

I work for Age Concern (I'm not a volunteer) and am happy if you want to PM me if I could help any further.

RevTimms

Thank you for all of your advice.
I will definitely not understate when I fill in the form, and I will try to keep a diary. I think that this is a very good idea.
I think it is far better being honest, as does my mother in law. We would rather tell the truth and be so greedy as to lie on the form just so we could get the money.
I could not pretend that "every day was a bad day" if it was not.
Thanks again for your help.