Attendance allowance

[PatB1948]

Hi everyone,

I have a question: do any of you in the Uk claim Attendance Allowance whilst suffering from PMR/GCA?

Regards

Pat

[jinasc]

Yes, I did whilst on GCA.

You can see what the form looks like on the internet.

[PatB1948 in reply to jinasc]

Thanks, jinasc, I'll have a look. Pat

[SheffieldJane]

I would imagine that it is worth a try. It is intended for paying someone to do essential tasks for you like personal care, so I expect there will be hugely intrusive questions , many hoops to go through etc. Let us know if you successfully apply for it, there are a number of people on here who live alone and seem to be struggling.

[PatB1948 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks, Jane, I had a look at the application form online and it is asking very detailed questions about symptoms and care needs. I think I shall apply as I have other health issues as well as PMR/GCA. I'll let you know how I get on.

Regards, Pat

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PatB1948]

It might be better to concentrate on the other issues as much as GCA.

I applied with GCA and arthritis, and despite challenging the response was turned down both times.

They seem to put an awful lot of emphasis on mental attitude - so I lost out there I think, because I'm a "coper" and could feed and dress myself - albeit with extreme difficulty before diagnosis.

Good luck.

[PatB1948 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL. In the past, I was. "Coper" but PMR has really knocked me for six and made my other illnesses seem much harder to bear. I need more help now than ever. I'll let you know but it will probably take ages as I know from experience, having had a disabled son (died at 21) for whom I fought for all the allowances he was entitled to and it all seemed to take forever.

Regards

Pat

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PatB1948]

Hi again,

We got it for my late hubby, but he had chronic heart problems and as soon as the word "angina" was mentioned on the follow up phone call, there was no further discussion needed!

Think if you have an illness that everybody recognises it makes it easier as well. Shouldn't, but it does!

Good luck.

[PatB1948 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL. I do have several health issues but don't really want to put them on the public forum. Perhaps I could message you privately but not sure how to do this.

Pat

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PatB1948]

Hi,

Tap on your name at top of this page. It will bring a drop down list, select "messages". That will take you to another page, on right there is a green button "Compose" - select that and then start to type in my name, should bring up another drop down list, select DorsetLady and then write and send.

If you have problems, just answer this post as usual and I'll message you, and you can reply.

[piglette in reply to PatB1948]

I applied for both my mother and father and managed to get the day and night allowance for both. I had been on a lottery form filling evening and they gave some good ideas on how to fill in forms and it has helped me ever since.

[jinasc]

I should have added that I have helped to steer people in the past who really needed the allowance and 90% of those received the lower attendance allowance. Nearly all of the successful ones also had other medical conditions, which on their own did not qualify.

Yes it is a pain, filling in the forms and Age UK and is the link you need, here it is,

ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/...

This takes you to the page where you click on Attendance Allowance in the first box and then you learn everything. They also have a section on Tips on how to complete the form.

Age UK is a very good organisation and more of us should support them.

The funding for CAB has been cut to the bone - how they can do what they do amazes me.

On you go.