Attendance allowance- medical evidence

[Orangeblossom78]

Does anyone know with the Attendance allowance form, is it like e.g. PIP in that they need medical evidence to go with the form, or of they actually concat the GP with AA? Thanks

Not sure if they contact gp but do seek help from age uk/ carers association in completing it- they know exactly how to phrase things and the language to use.
Also, order paper forms by phone which will be date stamped and the payments if approved will be backdated to that date.

I applied successfully for my Mother last year when she was discharged from hospital after a hip fracture. As evidence I stated she had memory problems which had necessitated her meds being prescribed in weekly dispensed blister packs and a history of minor falls with A&E visits in the 6 months prior to the fracture. I provided her discharge note which stated " not self caring" plus a list of the mobility aids which had been supplied. As she had met the requirements for the lower rate for 6 months prior to the fracture, she was awarded the higher rate immediately after hospital discharge. Don't know if they contacted the GP.

Ok, yes my dad had a spell in A & E after a fall and hurt himself recently, maybe could get that also

Do you understand that help/support needs to have been required for 6 months, before AA kicks in, if application is successful unless applicant has terminal illness and GP/DR completes a DS1500 form supporting this prognosis then it can start at once.

Sorry see someone has already mentioned 6 month time scale

Is it the same language as pip repeatedly reliably for the majority of the time etc?

You can apply online Orangeblossom so I would suggest you have a read of the form in the DWP site, print the form off and use it to draft your application for your father. As other posters mentioned Age UK/Carers offer guidance, there is a 6 month requirement for needing help door to being awarded the payments except in the case of terminal illness.

Apply, as the 6 month requirement is that they've had the related condition for 6 months or more. And 'needed help' has a broader understanding than carers, as could be family help (informal care), equipment, telecare or other.

So in the case of someone who is falling at home, and has subsequently had serious fall and broken their hip, it may be that they had been falling before or at high risk of falls, that their mobility has been limited and they had been struggling to bend and complete care tasks, I.e. that you'd already got an alarm in or were checking on them by phone or in person. That they have equipment to assist or /& carers. What's the underlying medical condition? (Osteoporosis, osteoarthriris, Parkinson's, arthritis, chronic back problems, weak knees, issues with blood pressure or significant heart problems? ) Whilst PPs are correct that a fall out of nowhere and broken bones causing care need, on its own would start the 6 months time requirement ! it's not as often that someone falls and breaks their hip without previous medical condition causing increasing disability prior to that.

You need to give them (dwp) the full picture as honestly as you can, which means saying what a bad day looks like. That's very hard for people to write down themselves, so having help with the form (CAB or a professional) is helpful.

In my experience AA assessments by DWP are not like Pip in that they don't require the face to face assessment- whilst they may write to GP, dwp are looking for confirmation of diagnosis and what other professionals are involved in context of what they've been told on form. (So if mum /dad/ relative has seen Occupational therapy & been given/or advised to get equipment some months or years prior- add them onto your list of professionals involved (& ended))

Add the professionals who've seen the person recently too on the form, especially hospital social worker. Or discharge liaison person as they can confirm history of condition.

Good luck, as I hope your relative gets awarded it, if s/he qualifies.

Sorry, I've just re read and seen that the broken hip was another PP and that it is your dad.
The form can be downloaded, type in Attendance allowance form in HMGov website and ignore the private firm adverts (that might return in search) that offer to get you it.

Hi not necessarily add everything such as meds recent hospital stay fill the form to reflect on his worst days so they grasp how hard it can be if he gets AA you can claim caters allowance hope this helps

Sorry do not not soz

When or if a professional is written to by DWP to send information for AA claim, the diagnoses are written with known dates e.g. "Diagnoses: Arthritis legs, knees hip 2016 ; CCF 2015; dementia 2018; #R wrist from fall 2017; # L NOF(hip) 10/2019 from fall, etc.." & a description of assessed needs & recommended care in broad sense ie including lifeline, even if declined by person at that time.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/attendance-allowance-claim-form

Ok I know they had carers coming in but refused them so that info might be there somewhere. So that's from the GP then. With pip they are known for not contacting anyone so that's why I wondered. But then they do an assessment with pip. I take it atos don't do attendance allowance claims then

I just found this guide online to filling in the form the way the CAB do, useful for anyone who can't get their help or is embarrassed talking to a stranger about their conditions. In case this helps anyone.

On the docs i am wondering about forwarding the form to his GPs so they can print off stuff to go in with it. As mine did this for PIP I remember. and then they sent it on directly. I might need to check it with the GP first though to see if they will. But it seems it might not be essential.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/claiming-attendance-allowance/help-with-attendance-allowance-form/

Please go to Age UK and fill the form in with them. They give excellent advice - particularly to those who have a tendency to downplay the challenges their parents are facing.
They are also good at making sure that any claims are backdated to the date the applicant first sought advice from them.
They will also copy and validate original P o A for no cost - unlike solicitors.

You don’t need medical evidence, but I copied all my parents prescriptions details and attached a copy to the form. Attendance Allowance is for personal care and does not cover inability to do household chores. I do think the prescription helps them understand the medical needs

We were granted the lower rate. I advise to state on the form that they need help with taking their medication, dressing, feeding, prevention of falls and any other needs that the carers do. I would also attach any info from the LA regarding his care needs.

I second contacting AGEUK they are excellent.

particularly to those who have a tendency to downplay the challenges their parents are facing Most of us do that. Because parents' decline is usually gradual, you get used to the new norm, and it takes the help of an outsider to realise how far from "normal" the new norm is.

Ok I have a council welfare place going to see dad and do the forms for him. they asked about medical evidence and dad's GP said 'the DWP will contact us"

Welfare advisor says they might not so has given us a note for dad to sign to request last 2 years medical records. before their visit start of March.

they said they can get it backdated for 6 weeks prior or something due to their time to see him, see helpful. Also got the bit about someone who knows you well filled in by his shattered housing warden. who sees him more than me. every week for 5 years she has written.

i mean it says you don't have to have that bit filled in but having gone through PIP I know anything can help. I thought it might be better not family as DWP might see it better from someone not invested in the result / external.

Because parents' decline is usually gradual

Yes and if you don;t see them as they are far away they can come across OK on the phone. The warned says she has seen a decline in the last 6 months and he has really slowed down which was sad to read but I guess, helpful, for the form. She has been really good considering he is a hoarder, very understanding and supportive, saying she hopes with support he can stay in his home surrounded by the people who know him in the community he knows. (so I guess not have to go into a home)

In fact I forwarded a copy to SS who are meant to be assessing him soon as well.

I recently applied for my 71 year old mum, she had a fall last year has COPD, arthritis and God knows what else. I sent ( photocopies, don’t send originals) of all her hospital notes that we had, you have to list out medication. I described as per the form how she needed help.

It took about 10 weeks to get the decision, she was awarded the higher rate and they backdated to the date in the claim form. Hers is a lifetime award.

AA is a gateway benefit in that it can then entitle you to other benefits, not in my mums case as she is a homeowner and had a small work pension. But worth looking into.

Just updating this. My dad has now got a social services package of care in place with twice daily visits for meds, food etc and I asked them to share the plan with the welfare lady who is doing his form. They agreed so hopefully that will help. It made it easier that both work for the same council, they rang Dad to check it is OK to share the info and found them very helpful as I live far away.