Attendance allowance

[daisue]

I am in the process of filling out the Attendance Allowance form. As the symptoms of Fibro can change daily do I fill the form out for a bad day or a better day. There are some things that I need help with on a daily basis now but others depend on the fatigue at the time. Can anyone please give me advice. I have tried to get an appointment with the Citizen Advice but having no luck with our local centre.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

You can contact our benefits team on 0300 999 0055 (Mon, Wed, Fri 10.00-12.00) or email [e-mail] and they can advise you

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi. It, s the normal practice to put down how you feel on your worst days.

[CM1EDSUK]

There's info from Citizens Advice on completing the form here: citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

They advise under 'Explain if you have good days and bad days'

'If your illness or disability means you have good and bad days try to explain how many of each you have in an average week.'

[Aka-Ice]

I have always put down how I feel on an average day as I'm afraid if they see me on a good day then they accuse me of fraudulent claims. On my worst days I don't leave the house but on my best I can manage a bit of shopping on my own. Most of the time do it with assistance. Probably why I don't get any mobility

[daisue in reply to Aka-Ice]

Thank you for your help. I understand how you feel. I have now gone from good days to bad to better days with more assistance needed all the time.

[Alit69]

Hi, sorry yo hear your a sufferer as well, it's horrendous sometimes 😪. UC & PIP have always told me to fill out based on a bad day, & include things like help, gadgets etc. I don't have strength in hands sometimes so use an electric can opener, scissors, jar opener etc. Just include everything. Im a sufferer every day as also have arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome & ibs, social life is non existence now but u just have to get through day by day, hope they can find right medication for u & stay safe Xxx

[daisue in reply to Alit69]

Thank you for your help. I have the same problem with my hands and have the gadgets as well. Just finding now that I am relying on my husband more and more to do things for me which I am finding difficult to accept.

[Kelv1]

I can really walk with my fibromyalgia, can't use my hands as can't grip I don't have a single good day in three years yet I was refused pip any advice?

[Smoggie1]

My honest opinion..worst for everything..I spoke to a nurse and she tried to twist things I was saying on phone..but I had made a copy and kept notes of all my answers when filling in form..I also was glad of that when I had to fill in another this year as with fibro fog I cannot always remember everything..I also filled in that I was worse and could hardly walk now due to lymphedema that had gone undiagnosed for 2yrs due to incompetence of doctor during lockdown who didn't even want to take my blood pressure. Never mind sort my legs out and at the time said there was nothing he could do for me..

.. and since then I've had a fall and damaged muscles they say in left knee..but took them 4 weeks to see me and as per usual keep popping pills for pain

They have offered me no extra money..so would definitely say your worst days.

Good luck

[Jeannt77]

Definitely fill in on a bad day. Good luck!

[Catwithahat]

Age UK are very helpful with completing these forms with you and it may be easier getting an appointment with them. They said you need to complete the form bearing in mind your worse day, I hope this helps you.

[daisue in reply to Catwithahat]

Thank you for your help. I had a phone call today from local Citizens Advice and have an appointment next week.

[Pod165]

Use the symptoms of your Worst days, then double it, Daisue, and make copies of Everything you fill-in or sign. That way when "they" ask you to confirm what you have written in Forms, you can "read wot you rote"! 😉 I can't stress this enough, but fools that we are, we Always try "putting on a brave face"! Or believe that "honesty is the best policy" - It's NOT!

These faceless, nameless, care-less functionaries only have the Rules that they are given to follow, mostly blindly and without compassion!

How do I know ?

Bitter experiences over the almost last 2 decades ! And a daughter who's 1st posting was "Incapacity Benefit Claims" – there they literally had "quotas" to meet!

Another "Must Do" is give the most Detailed account of "How your Condition affects your Mental Health".

If there's times when you feel like you can't go on, document it, tell your GP and any other Medical people you see and if you ''Fone-A-Friend" or Any of the Free-fone "Help" groups, keep a Record and Tell Everyone!

I'm Not Ashamed to say that I practically "bore" my family with Reports of "I've been feeling ...... ,... lately!"

That way Nobody's surprised if I've found my Meds and decided to "have a wee snack"! – But It More than Helps ME to clear out the inevitable "Dark Thoughts!" associated with having Any kind of prolonged/chronic illness!

Right, Best of Luck! 🤞 🫡

🤯🍀POD☘️😉

OH, Yes! 😲

Contact the "Benefits Advice Team" that's available here on, HU.com, for All Members!

Or, just try the🔍Search🔎 bar above! 👆🏼Up..🦻🏻!!

🖖😃👍😎👌

.

[CM1EDSUK]

Please everone, & I'm sure everyone means well, don't just describe your 'worst' days. I completely agree with Aka-Ice saying, 'I have always put down how I feel on an average day as I'm afraid if they see me on a good day then they accuse me of fraudulent claims.'

I can't see how, ' UC & PIP have always told me to fill out based on a bad day;' saying how you are on a 'bad' day is not in the DWP's guidelines.

For PIP, please see this section from the PIP assessment guide part 2: gov.uk/government/publicati...

'Time periods, fluctuations and descriptor choices 2.1.7 The impact of most health conditions and impairments can fluctuate over time. Taking a view of ability over a longer period of time helps to iron out fluctuations and presents a more coherent picture of disabling effects....'

& with the UC WCA ,

' You’ll be asked questions about how your condition affects you in your day to day life. It gives you the opportunity to explain if, and how, your health condition or disability may vary over time.' Please see: gov.uk/government/publicati... scrolling down to section 5.

I think it helps fibro sufferers, or anyone else with a condition that can similarly fluctuate, to understand that this will be taken into consideration. However the onus is on the claimant to describe this, & words like 'good' or 'bad' days are best avoided.

[daisue in reply to CM1EDSUK]

Thank you for your help. I have been able to get an appointment at Citizens Advice this week so hopefully they will be able to advice me further.

[releasethemagic]

Remember that if something affects you less than half the time, they ignore it. It has to be 4 days out of 7 or more to be taken into account. This Guide to Attendance Allowance might help you ageuk.org.uk/bp-assets/glob...

[Chockie]

Age Concern helped me with mine I just gave them a donation .

[S23S5]

I have always filled out forms with having a bad day which was advice from citizens advice.

[Suffering2021]

you must write a Bad day and A worse day there is no better or less painful days with fibromyalgia any health professionals will know that . Don’t get caught out by all the jargon . Be truthful and it’ll all be sorted but it takes a lot of time and don’t give up I had to appeal but if forms get refused keep on at it all it’s tough but you deserve help . Don’t give up on Citizens Advice they are truly amazing I would not of got through it all without them ,and my friends for support & help . Take care and good luck