Has anyone been able to claim Attendance Allowance. I am nearly 77yrs and need help at home some days it takes me over 2 hrs to get going in the morning. Luckily I have a bed that lifts at top and bottom so it does help a little, especially if I get a spasm. I cannot open jars, bottles etc so I have to line them up for someone to call by. I have a wonderful girl who is like a daughter to me and she keeps the house tidy and clean, but I cannot afford to pay her for Over 8 hrs per week, I also have to have a Gardener now as I did all the work before I had Fibromyalgia. I am currently confined to home Until 30 June as I am also Asthmatic. I do not want to move home as I have wonderful neighbours, but there is a limit I do not like calling them all the time, as they are 70 plus.
I
Written by
Chockie
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Anyone can ask for an assessment of needs and it could be worth getting one.
If the assessor feels you need the help they will put in for AA on your behalf and it goes through very quickly ( or did before covid )
In my father in laws case his gp surgery had a staff member who was responsible for helping elderly people to get aids, care, etc. So could be worth checking with your medical centre.
I applied for AA when I was 75yrs , 2 yrs ago, and got it at higher rate.
The thing with AA it’s not like P.I.P. where you get awarded care & Mobility through a points system.
I have other conditions along with Fibro...., Angina, Osteoarthritis of fingers & neck, and a weak Bladder.
You put them all down, and explain in DETAIL, warts and all, how you struggle to live independently with these conditions, and the way they impact on your life, and how having the extra money from AA would make such a difference to you by being able to pay for extra help to make your life a little bit easier. Remember it’s not which Conditions you suffer from, but THE EFFECT THEY HAVE on the way you have to live your daily life.
You generally don’t have someone come to your home to give you an Assessment for AA, they go by the details you put on your form, and any letters from Consultants etc. and which medication you’re taking . They ask your permission to contact your GP if necessary, but they don’t always do that. In fact even before COVID-19, GPs really only write letters of support for DWP in exceptional circumstances, and you have to pay for them.
You can get someone who knows you well, to make a Statement about how you’ve changed since you have Fibro, etc from being Independent, to needing help from others. The more detail the better.
Also, at the end of each question, they say, “how many days in a week do you need help, ie “ to cut up your food? The correct answer is 7 days, because if you say “ only when I’m bad,” by implication, you’re saying you’re not always bad. By saying 7 days, you’re saying “ it could be 7days” and although it’s not always the case, it might well be 7 days, or there could come a time when it is 7 days.
If you click on this, and look at the different links, you will see down towards the bottom of the page, a link for Fact Sheets. Attendance Allowance is amongst them, click on that and you can read all about it there.
You get the forms from DWP, and once you ask to be sent the forms, you have to fill them in within 6 weeks, if awarded, you get the money from the day you asked for the forms to be sent.
You could also ask for help to fill them in from CAB, Age UK, etc, but these agencies are all extra busy just now, and you might have to wait a while.
Good luck, and if you need any further advice, you could always send me a PM on here.
Thank you so much for your very detailed response. I never thought about including all my other problems Asthmatic, Spondylosis ,weak Bladder, and Fibromyalgia. The only Benefit I have is a Blue Badge, it is the only benefit I have had in my lifetime. So many many thanks.
Hi again Chockie , it’s good you have a Blue Badge, tell them that, and for each Condition that you have, give details of how not only the way they affect your daily life, but how the effects of each Condition overlaps into how you can cope with the other Conditions, It’s all in the detail.
A lot of people get put off by the form, but stick at it, as the Benefit is for life unless you get cured of all your illnesses!
Hi My Hidden , definitely give it a go. I didn’t quite understand it at first until it was explained to me from the information on Disability Rights UK, and a lady I spoke to from Age UK. She said it’s in the details of how your conditions affect you in daily life, and how the extra money could help you and make a difference.
I even mentioned that because of my weak Bladder I had to use Tena Lites which were more expensive than Always Pads, but because the Always ones were perfumed, I couldn’t use them as they irritated my skin, which was true. Definitely give as much detail as possible for each Condition, hold nothing back.
You can PM me if you need any help.
I am in England, and I think Wales have the same rules, but I believe in Scotland if you get the higher rate, you can get a car, I don’t know about Northern Ireland.
If you ring number for AA allowance (available on the website)and request-a form,if your claim is successful it will be backdated to the date of the phone call.
When you get the phone call,ring the Citizens Advice.
I don’t know what happens with the. Current Covid chaos,but they are very helpful at filling in the form.good. Luck
That’s great, you go for it, because it does all add up, but our Pensions don’t go up accordingly. Let me know if you need help.
There are now a lot of Medicines that we have to buy ourselves now. I get Gaviscon on Prescription as I have a Medical condition in my Oesophagus which would get a lot worse if Stomach Acid were to aggravate it, but have to pay £15.50 for eye drops for severe dry eyes caused by one of the Meds for my Angina, which I can’t change. I also put that on my Application as I was advised to do.
I’m in Wales and Age Concern have a dedicated worker who will come to your home and fill the form out for you. We applied for my husband and he got it very quickly. Look for the phone no online
Hi if you contact one of the agencies the other ladies said age concern disability rights .you can google it .explain to one of them what it is ask could they tell you where to access form it’s usually social work or hey may do t .ask if s they know an agency that could help to you to fill in the form .its better if you can get worker to help they’ll explain .put down evry illness and you have to get someone in to do housework garden if you think you could do with help to get washed they will tell you where to go if you also need help to get shopping cooking .you would be applying for care component the mobility money stops just before your 66birthday .but yes phone one of the older people’s services and explain to them what you need still tell them if your mobility’s not good you struggle opening jars etc .its a long form and it’s better if you get help to fill it in .dont be embarrassed if you get caught short with toilet needs tell them that all gets you points .they may do the form filling over the phone because of the virus if you can’t have anyone in .it is long form better with help hope you get on ok .it will give you a date on form whe n you’ve to fill it in and send it back for certain date usually three to four wks .good luck
Hi Chockie. I am only a baby at 71 but I got AA enhanced rate, after my stroke 3 years ago. It is important that you list all of your ailments, even if at the moment they may only be mild. In all probability they will worsen over time. A medical statement from your GP may also help, even if you have to pay for it. Also, when you get to the part where you describe how these issues affect you then you MUST describe your worst day. Whatever you do don't say 'on some days......'. They will turn this around to favour themselves and interpret as 'some days you're ok then'. Anyway, give it a go and good luck.
Hey if your neighbours are willing and able to help, let them help it's not a matter of age, my husband does all the things I can't, it is so frustrating watching him do the things I cant, so I am lucky, but I don't overdo it as he has COPD and gets tired himself. Have a nice day☺️
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
PIP ESA Carer's allowance
Exercise and ESA and disability allowance
PIP/Motability allowance for Fibromyalgia 
How long are you allowed to be unwell?
Are Doctors allowed to refuse you pain relief?
