Switching from PIP to attendance allowance

rachatkinson

Hi I’m new here.

My mum is trying to swap from receiving the lowest mobility PIP to trying to get attendance allowance as it’s more money for her needs.
How do we do this?
Do we just apply for attendance allowance and if they award it her, her PIP will automatically stop? Or do we end her PIP before applying for attendance allowance but what if she’s not awarded it?

Thanks in advance

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

It isn't possible to switch from PIP to AA.

The AA claim process won't be started while the claimant is receiving PIP.

You would have to end the PIP claim first. Although that's not as easy as it sounds, as they have to prevent vulnerable people from accidentally ending it. If you stop the PIP award and then don't qualify for AA, they cannot reapply for PIP above pension age.

Personally, I would recommend sticking with PIP.

rachatkinson

thank you for your reply.
Thats what I thought really but she only receives the lowest part of the mobility element and nothing else.
we thought if we could change to attendance allowance the lowest payment of that is over double the money she gets now and we could then go on to claim carers allowance for myself as I look after her for more than 37 hours.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1037451#Comment_1037451

No problem. In this case, perhaps it is worth the risk financially.

AA only has a care component though. So if they weren't eligible for any Daily Living on PIP, they might not qualify for the care on AA either?

rachatkinson

We tried to do a change in circumstances when my dad died a year ago but they rejected it and just said she could receive the lower rate PIP for longer. So now she’s alone and not very mobile and needs me for most things . I think we might just risk it and see.