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Elderly parents
Original poster

Attendance Allowance rejected

66 replies

RememberDecember · 19/12/2024 18:49

Found out today that mum’s application for AA has been rejected. She has early stage dementia. I was hoping to use it to pay for a carer to come in to help but will have to have a rethink. I’m not sure if there is any point trying to reapply at a later stage, unless things decline substantially. Have others reapplied successfully?

OP posts:
Original poster
RememberDecember · 19/12/2024 19:59

TwilightSkies · 19/12/2024 19:33

Appeals process is very slow. You’re better to just re-apply and get citizens advice to fill in the form.
You can DM me if you like and I can guide you on how to fill it in.

Not sure if I can just reapply straight after doing it, presume there is some sort of waiting period? That is why I’m thinking I need to try to contact them tomorrow rather than reapply.

OP posts:
Meandhimtogether · 19/12/2024 19:53

Citizens advice are brilliant for helping get the right benefits.

Original poster
RememberDecember · 19/12/2024 19:49

The letter says “ you are not entitled because to get attendance allowance you must have a disability which means that you need right through the day frequent attention with your bodily functions or continue supervision to avoid substantial danger to yourself or others”

OP posts:
Original poster
RememberDecember · 19/12/2024 19:47

I filled in the form and a dementia assistant from council looked it over but didn’t change anything. I’m beginning to second guess myself and wonder if she is truly eligible. I sent official diagnosis. She doesn’t require help dressing, have toileting or mobility issues. However she is increasingly forgetful of taking medication, and can get lost when out and has locked herself out several times. (2 locksmiths later we now have a safe key box).

I’ve only just seen the rejection letter under piles of stuff at her house and basically have tomorrow to contact them for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

OP posts:
TwilightSkies · 19/12/2024 19:33

Appeals process is very slow. You’re better to just re-apply and get citizens advice to fill in the form.
You can DM me if you like and I can guide you on how to fill it in.

unsync · 19/12/2024 19:23

What help does she currently need? Can she get herself up, toileted, washed and dressed? Shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc. If she has no current care needs, that's likely why it was turned down. Did you supply evidence of diagnosis?

Viviennemary · 19/12/2024 19:19

DragonFly98 · 19/12/2024 18:59

How old is she? AA is almost always awarded.

Yes. Is she over pension age.

Flopsythebunny · 19/12/2024 19:08

maclen · 19/12/2024 18:57

Isn't this free through the NHS?

Not in England

DragonFly98 · 19/12/2024 18:59

How old is she? AA is almost always awarded.

Ilovethewild · 19/12/2024 18:58

Ask medical professionals for a letter to appeal it and explain why.

do appeal, people often underplay their needs.

GluggleJuggle · 19/12/2024 18:58

Who filled the form in? It is long but the threshold to get it is really low.

maclen · 19/12/2024 18:57

Isn't this free through the NHS?

olderbutwiser · 19/12/2024 18:56

Came on here to say exactly this - get help filling the form in, there is a definite approach that needs to be taken.

Roselilly36 · 19/12/2024 18:56

How appalling, appeal and get support of GP, specialist nurse, Dementia charity that could help with the application. Good luck.

Viviennemary · 19/12/2024 18:54

Did they say why. Can she manage day to day activities. Like cooking, cleaning, washing dressing shopping and so on. And does she have a diagnosis from the doctor. Surprised it's been rejected if she has dementia unless its very early stage and she is managing fine.

Theeyeballsinthesky · 19/12/2024 18:52

RememberDecember · 19/12/2024 18:49

Found out today that mum’s application for AA has been rejected. She has early stage dementia. I was hoping to use it to pay for a carer to come in to help but will have to have a rethink. I’m not sure if there is any point trying to reapply at a later stage, unless things decline substantially. Have others reapplied successfully?

Go to citizens advice or age uk and get them to help you appeal. I used to appeal them regularly for people and I usually won often because the original form had been completed by families who didn’t really know what they should be saying (no reason they should, ppl are generally not experts in benefit forms!)