Hi there everyone. My AA claim

Viffer750

Hi there, glad to join the forum, really like keeping up to date with what going on, hope to find some useful info for my own claim…

brief history:
After being ill at work a number of years ago, was on DLA, at one stage I felt I was getting better from my problems and voluntarily came off the benefit and tried to get back into my career. Unfortunately that didn’t work but at that time I was medically retired from work with an ill health retirement pension which kept the wolf from the door.
fast forward to about 4 years ago, I applied for PIP but it was declined (my condition was actually worse than before) , I was so depressed I didn’t fight it, I know now I should have.

now, up to date, I need even more care so I’m at an age where AA is the option…but I’m looking at the form with a lot of trepidation.

my biggest problem I feel is NOT describing my problems, but trying to explain how they affect me…some of my problems are (not in any particular order)

rheumatoid arthritis 
sciatica
damage to knees and ankle joint (accident legacy) cause mobility problems
type 2 diabetes (poorly controlled)
really poor dental health (3 teeth in top row left) and difficulty eating
poor hygiene (difficulty urinating) urine burning skin and smell on clothing
difficulty dressing and washing (caused by constant rotator cuff problems)
High blood pressure 
dizziness when standing up and moving around, sometimes resulting in vomiting 
and severe migraines 
my good lady wife helps me with everything these days, I’d be lost without her, she’s in good health and is 2 years older than me

phew…that’s that list done…

so looking forward to scanning the forum and trying to find out the correct way of filling in the form.

cheers Viffer 👍

Ross_Alumni

Hello @Viffer750

Welcome to the community, it's lovely to see you join us and I hope you are well today  

 

This is a very supportive and welcoming site to be a part of so I’m hopeful that you’ll find it to be a positive outlet. Feel free to have a look around and get involved wherever you’d like 😊 I have included below a few of the pages I’d recommend having a look through to get used to things:

• The virtual coffee lounge which is one of our categories, in which we play games and talk about general subjects such as hobbies and interests
• The recent discussions page, which shows an overview of everything happening across the community
• The categories page, which shows a full list of discussion groups on the community

If you have any questions at all then don’t hesitate to ask.

Trying to explain how your conditions impact you can be quite challenging at times, especially if it is something you perhaps haven't had to communicate to somebody in a form before. Have you considered keeping a diary each day of how your condition has impacted the activities you have done that day? It could help you to get an idea of the areas in which you struggle the most and need most support with. CAB have an information page here about filling in the AA form, which you may find helpful.

ShirleyW

I would encourage you to apply ASAP for Attendance Allowance. 
It is highly unlikely that you will have an assessment of any sort.

It's not based on the diagnosis of illnesses but on the way those illnesses affect you carrying out the various personal care tasks.

Concentrate on the help you need to carry the personal care tasks.  It doesn't matter if you don't actually receive the help or not.

Make sure you write about all the aids you need.  Grab rails, rails around the toilet to help you sit and rise.  Equipment such as bottom cleaners, tilt mechanism for the kettle.  Just a few examples. 

There is no mobility component just care.

I made my own claim in late January 2022 and the 1st payment was in my bank account 4 weeks later.   The award letter arrived a few days after that.

Age Concern has some good information.