Claiming Attendance Allowance.

[thomas62]

Could anybody advise on when/how Attendance Allowance can be claimed for? Thank you in anticipation.

[CharlotteSo_UK]

My mum has recently applied for this - you can download the AA form from direct.gov. Quite a long document to complete and useful if you have supporting documents from hospital. X

[Lindaura]

Dear Thomas,

You cannot actually get this benefit until you have needed it already for 6 months, which is a brutal caveat, as it is not paid retroactively.

However, once you get it, you’ve got it!

The trick is to get it.

I decided that I was much too impaired to fill out the form myself, so I cleverly called up the Mac Millan Charity team. They have people to do this for you.

They come to your house and talk you through everything and are as helpful as can be. I was mostly housebound still, so that was great.

They filled in the forms and also applied for a blue badge for me, which I should have applied for 6 months before, but again, once you have it, you have it!

The Allowance application was accepted and the financial help was extremely welcome.

Good luck to you, too!

Call MacMillan tomorrow!

Best wishes,

Laura

[Lindaura]

Just to add,

You do not have to be terminal to get this. Just have to need 24 hour care, which can be as simple as help with meals, help to the loo, someone checking up on you at night, etc and you can get advice on this from MacMillan and they will fill out the form in the best way possible for your benefit.

X

[Ge0rg1na]

I got mine by working with Macmillan who are very knowledgeable about all benefits unlike my GP surgery. I did this about three month ago as I felt that going forward I would be needing more assistance. I really isn't about having 6 months to live and perhaps living on my own gave it greater importance, I'm not sure. Good luck Gina x

[harpist_UK]

My CNS organised the form for me and did the accompanying letter. At my local hospital they said they automatically advised it for anyone starting 2nd line treatment, this being the criteria for being 'incurable'. I won't use the 't' word, but that's what they mean. This was back in summer of 2017. Initially I said to myself, oh I don't need this money, but I'm very glad I applied for it now - we use it to fund the overnight hotel stays when we go to the Christie. There are many costs in cancer - petrol, car parks, hotels... Go for it and take all you are entitled to.

I also got a blue badge last summer, even though when not on chemo I am fit to walk about etc. The palliative care nursing team who organised it at the time said it would be worth its weight in gold for hospital appointments, and it is. I am also known to use it at the supermarket...

[Lindaura in reply to harpist_UK]

Me too! Though the allowance is a life saver to me as I am self employed and could not work, but pensionable age, so no benefits, but this one. It helps pay the rent!

The blue badge is invaluable for appointments.

X

[thomas62]

Thanks to all you kind ladies for the information you have given me. A Happy New Year to you all and I do sincerely hope that all the lovely ladies on this site have a healthy and happy 2019. xx

[juliamillen]

You need to be over 65 and definitely get an agency like Age UK or Macmillan to fill it in for you as they know how to word it so your claim will be successful Good luck with it

[Rachael47]

There are few upsides to cancer, but the Blue Badge is a great help! We use it when we go to Wisley gardens etc, where the car parks are huge. The attendance allowance is a great help too.

[JanePW1965]

I wonder if mum would be entitled to this. She's so proud. It took me ages to encourage her to apply for a blue badge. The nurse from the Marie Curie hospice came round to her house and filled out the form and mum wouldn't be without the blue badge now! From what I've read I do think she is entitled to Attendance Allowance. Happy New Year everyone. Jane XXX

[thomas62]

Hi JanePW1965

I would have thought that if your mum was entitled to a blue badge then she would be entitled to Attendance Allowance! Best wishes. Gwen x

[January-2016-UK]

It would help pay for an extra taxi here and there or extra heating. I find treatment makes me feel colder than normal and I like to keep the heating on more than I used. Maybe suggest it.