Attendance allowance

berry61

Hi everyone,

Im asking for some advice regards my elderly father who is 94 and my step mum 84. My step mum has been in receipt of AA for quite a few years , my dad is the one named as helping her day & night.

My dad is really struggling now due to his age and I was looking into claiming AA for him but not sure if that would affect there existing arrangement.

I don't work due to my own health conditions and receive pip and support group esa, my wife is named as caring for me on our joint UC.

If I applied for AA for my dad I wouldn't be able to name myself as supplying any care to him as im already receiving it from my wife, but could my step mum be named as helping him. I.e they both help each other.

Any advice would be appreciated Thanks.

Kimi87

Qualifying for AA depends on needing care. You don't actually have to be receiving care. So no requirement to name a carer on the forms. And Dad being awarded wouldn't impact Step Mum. She in her own right has been awarded on the basis of needing care, not on the basis that he is providing her care.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/attendance-allowance/

I'd highly recommend filling in the forms with help.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/age-uk-advice-line/

berry61

Thanks kimi87,

That's reassuring to know , I was just going off what I saw on the downloaded AA form from the Govuk site , question 18 asks does anyone help you because of your illness, friend, neighbour, family memeber ,but it does ask are you receiving any help "yes" or"no"

I will make an appointment at Citizens Advice thanks

berry61

Hi kimi87

Can I just ask a question regards the AA form.

It asks about various activities i.e showering, bathing, getting in & out of bed etc......do you need help or are you receiving any help with these activities ? If he isn't actually getting any help apart from my step mum then I assume I would put down No ?

I have made a request at citizens Advice about help filling in the form and dad needs to be with me at the time when I ring back to give his permission to speak with me.

Thanks

Kimi87

The question is two parts:

Do you need help

Are you getting help

If he needs help but isn't getting it, you would answer yes to the first question, and no to the second.

berry61

Thank you kimi87 I

Zipz

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/137171/attendance-allowance

Irrespective of who completes your Dad's AA application, it is his application an the benefit will be paid into his bank account. That you receive PIP and your wife receives CA for you doesn't count.

You don't state your Dad's care needs but the fact that you've posted here suggests you help your Dad, perhaps providing advice or emotional support. The same might be true for how your Step-Mum helps your Dad. But nobody has to be named as your Dad's "carer".

As you state, there are specific questions but feel free to mention other problems. For example, can your Dad hear the doorbell and the phone? Does he remember to taken medication? Does he get upset or very fatigued?

The AA form is relatively easy to complete though I recommend attaching any GP/ Hospital evidence you can collate even if you're using CAB.

berry61

Thank You zipz,

That's very helpful advice.

Dad sleeps a great deal during the daytime, he's stone deaf even with hearing aids, and partially sighted after 2 eye ops and about 27 visits to specialist eye hospital. He struggles to communicate with others.

Also the burden on him has increased after my step mum's cancer looks like it has returned after 6 years remission so it looks like we are in for a rough ride soon.

Thanks again for your support and advice

Zipz

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1053935#Comment_1053935

Your Dad must have difficulty shopping and dealing with any financial matter due to his disabilities. Do you have Lasting Power of Attorney for Finances and Health and Welfare? You need to get LPAs in place. You will need third-party access to his bank account to use AA to finance help he needs such as a cleaner, Wiltshire Farm Foods, et al. I am assuming that your Dad has the mental capacity to make an LPA.

berry61

HI,

Yes I do have LPA ready to go when needed both both my dad and step mum, financial & social.

Regards food shopping everything is done on line with Tesco and delivered.

I will be contacting Citizens Advice tomorrow and make an appointment to discuss matters further I think as you say we need guidance on this.

Thank You again

berry61

Zipz I forgot to say I already have third party access on his bank and check things each week to make sure money going in state pension, pension credit etc and direct debits out.

Kimi87

It's always recommended to get outside help with the forms.

Welfare rights organisations are experts at looking at our ways of coping that are completely normal to us, highlighting they aren't in fact normal and flagging things that need to be included we would never think of.

berry61

Thank you kimi87