Attendance Allowance and Carers Allowance.

Boohoo

Hello.
My 69 year old mum has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and has been told that she has between 3 and 6 months to live.
I have moved back to live with my parents about 4 months ago after i split from my partner.
We have been told that we can claim attendance allowance first then when accepted we can claim carers allowace.My Dad has been trying to get an appointment with the CAB this week to help fill in these forms but as yet he can't see anybody this week.My dad who is 67 works 3 days a week as he has got a tax bill to pay off after his income was calculated wrong.
I am unemployed at the moment and claiming JSA.Would it be better if i claimed for attendance allowance and carers allowance or my dad.He is worried that he may be taxed on the benifits if he claims.
Also does anyone know what other help we can get to look after my mum.We are thinking about renting a stairlift for her as she finds it hard to get up and downstairs as the toilet and bathroom are upstairs but we are not sure if we will have to pay for this.We are getting a visit from the Macmillian nurse on Friday and will see what he/she has to advice us.
Hope this was not too long winded for people to read.
Vince

dmg24

Sorry to hear about your mum Vince.

There is information here that should be helpful, it links on to the pages for Attendance Allowance and Carers Allowance. I would assume that your mum will qualify under the special rules, so the forms are simpler, and you should receive it more quickly.

I would not worry about contacting CAB, as your MacMillan Nurse will be able to go through all the paperwork with you and make sure you get what you are entitled to x

Oldernotwiser

Also, AA under special rules can be backdated. My father's was backdated for 8 months; strange when special rules refer to having less than 6 months to live! (Just reread your post; it's your mum who claims for AA, not your dad or yourself).
Macmillan nurses are excellent and will help you a great deal.
All the best.

Boohoo

Thanks for the replies.

My dad rang up Aged Concern and a lady came the house and filled out the form for him but we are waiting on our GP to send us form from him to send with the AA claim form.
My dad has an appointment with somebody on Friday morning to go over with him about what if any benifits he can get for him and/or mum.
We are still looking into getting a stairlift for her but we have rung 3 companies and they have been trying to get us to buy one for at least £3000 but as my mum has 3 to 6 months to live i think its a rip-off.Does anybody who has been in ths position know of any good companys that rent stairlifts for a short time as my my mum struggles getting up and down stairs and sometimes i have to carry her upstairs which is not very dignified for her.

Vince

FROSTYFRECKLE

Hi Vince,

Deepest sympathies about your mum. Regarding the stairlift contact your local Social Work Department, and speak to the Occupational Health Department. The OT Department can get a stairlift put in BUT emphasis your mum is terminal, there is usually a wait for a stairlift except in exceptional circumstances.( For some reason the OT Department is part of the Social Work).

Best wishes.

Boohoo

Thank you.
My mum has been out of hospital 2 weeks today and social services rang up the day she came out and said they will send somebody round asap but will still have not heard anything.A person is coming round Sat 26/4/08 to give us a quote for a stairlift which we will rent from them at £350 install and removal fee plus she will need a platform at the top as its a curved staircase which he said will be another £150 and £40 a month rental.
My dad will pay as it will give my mum a better way of life for her last few months but he was hoping he would not have to but as he owns his house outright i dont think he will get any help.
Vince.

Mojisola

Boohoo wrote: »

Thank you.
My dad will pay as it will give my mum a better way of life for her last few months but he was hoping he would not have to but as he owns his house outright i dont think he will get any help.

Owning your own house does not stop you getting help with stairlifts, bathroom conversions, etc. It's such a difficult time for your family now but, if you can, talk to the Occupational Therapists about the stairlift. They may not be able to get one installed as quickly as you can privately, but you may be able to get some of the money back from them.