Attendance allowance

[Borntobeamum]

I’ve sent for forms to apply for attendance allowance for both my parents who are now in a care home.
I have a fear of filling In Forms and I’m getting very stressed knowing I need to do them.
Can anyone assure me that they are straightforward and that I’ll be able to manage them?

I realise this is rather a daft post but please dont judge me. 😔

you just have to write what needs they have being in a care home suggests they have high needs. If you have any questions I’d speak to the care home I’m sure they have done this multiple times

They are not difficult they just take time, do some each day when you feel like it, have a break if you need it.

I didn't have details of every health appointment but I put, for example, saw physio.at st peters hospital August 2018.

Focus on each question, answer what they're asking, don't worry about repeating answers, base your answers on a bad day.

Honestly it is not difficult, just take your time. I got my dm the reduced rate and my mil the full rate on the first application for each. I think the amount was appropriate for both.

The form is quite long but the questions are straightforward as they are based around what care needs day and night your parents have. For example can they bathe/shower without help, do they need to use an aid like a shower chair/handrails.

Remember if your parents are not self funding the care home then the AA will go
to the care provider to pay towards their care.

Have you got a local CAB or Age uk that could Help?

You can only apply for AA in residential care if your parents are self Funding.

The CAB will help with these forms. Make an appointment, remember to take the papers relating to medical appointments, dates of birth etc with you, also a list of the meds they have prescriptions for. They also want the bank account details for the account they money is to be paid to.

You can only apply for AA in residential care if your parents are self Funding

That's not correct.
Those who are in state funded care can still apply for AA they just don't receive it as it goes towards their care costs.

Those who are in state funded care can still apply for AA they just don't receive it as it goes towards their care costs. in which case you could leave the LA to apply for it.

If they are partly state funded and pay for part themselves, AA goes to reduce the LA contribution, not your contribution.

If they’re fully self funding, it’s worth applying for. Seek help from Age Concern. Apart from their own people, they can refer you to a company who will give you an hour’s free advice.

Ask to see the care home’s Care Plan for your parents. Remember that “a need fulfilled is still a need” - eg if they wouldn’t be able to prepare a meal themselves because they can’t carry a plate/they can’t manage a microwave/they can’t make appropriate choices/they forget to eat because they don’t get hungry, then say that, even though the need has been fulfilled by their being in a care home having meals prepared for them. And so on, all through the form.

Exactly, Meredint, for a non self funder, it's the LAs job and to apply for the AA.

I filled in as much as I could and then made an appointment with the care home to help with the rest. They printed out the care plan and medication and filled out the bit from someone involved in the care etc
time consuming but not difficult. Got high rate

Thank you everyone.
When I opened the envelope I was expecting 2 forms for mum and dad. They took both dates of birth when I rang to ask for them, but they’ve only sent one.
I have filled in as much as I can but will take it to the care home today and ask for help.
They are amazing staff and I’ve no doubt they will help me.
I will also call for another form.

I understand your fear. I feel sick when confronted with a form. I used to be a legal secretary, filling forms dealing with huge sums of other people's money without any issue and then after being home with the family for a few years I suddenly felt paralysed by anything official! BUT I found the Attendance Allowance form to be really straightforward. The only thing I would say is that you need to emphasise what things are like on their worst days, not their best.