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Elderly parents
Original poster

Are attendance allowance forms as tricky as DLA and PIP?

57 replies

HatFamster · 10/08/2023 13:42

I’m helping my mother to fill in her form.
I’ve completed DLA and PIP forms for my children, and just wondered if this needs the same excruciating attention to detail?

She had a stroke a few months ago - is it important to get her dr’s notes copied to include, or will they contact her GP?

OP posts:
bizzey · 10/08/2023 14:57

So agree with pp's about filling it in for the worst days .
That is what my DM struggled with .
But her "worst" days then ....are everyday now .

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 10/08/2023 14:27

A friend offered to go through the Attendance Allowance form with me because I kept putting it off. In the end I decided to do what I could and meet up with her to finish it off but I whizzed through it. I wasn't sure whether I was filling it in as my mum or if I was doing it for her. In the end, as she was still able to write at that point I filled it in from her viewpoint and she signed it.

One thing I would stress is that you should write about her worst days, not her better days. When I was discussing it with my mum she would say "but when I have a good day I can do x/y/z" but there were far more bad days than good days and those were days I described.

Wibbleswombat · 10/08/2023 14:19

We watched a really decent YouTube video, it really helped. It was a while ago, so don't remember what it was called but about 45 mins long.

Fill the forms in on the evidence from the worst day not a good day.

bizzey · 10/08/2023 14:19

DM just gets the basic rate .she does not need help at night so maybe different for you .

bizzey · 10/08/2023 14:17

We got help from a charity to help fill out DM'S form .
She was fantastic!

DM wanted to play down how much help she really needed , but this lady was so good at explaining it all

I can't remember the charity sorry....but I am sure AGE UK would give some help and. guide you where to go for help..
I don't think we sent off any medical notes ,just doctors details.

Original poster
HatFamster · 10/08/2023 14:16

Her night time needs are minimal (just help to get comfortable), and the form seems fairly straightforward here, luckily!

Is it worth getting a copy of relevant notes from her GP do you think?

OP posts:
scaredsick · 10/08/2023 13:57

They look similar, but the boundary for evidence is much lower following submission of the forms with AA.

The DWP expect elderly people to have disabilities in a way they are more suspicious of with younger demographics (which is a whole other level of ableism, but I digress). The main distinction you need to make is clarifying the difference between need for daytime and nighttime care. If the claimant has only daytime needs, you're looking at standard rate claim, whereas nighttime needs usually attract the higher award.

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