Attendance Allowance for mobility issues/arthritis

[orangetree1999]

Hi
I was looking at applying for this for my mum but have seen some notes on different websites that say it's not available for people with mobility issues.
She's 86 with arthritis riddled knees. She is eligible for knee replacements but doesn't want them.
We have paid privately for a stair lift and a walk in shower as she wasn't able to get into the bath and struggles with stairs.
She has a blue badge but is restricted to where she can go as can't walk far even if she gets a parking space.
She's fallen a couple of times because if she slips there is no strength in her knees to save herself.
Does anyone know if she would be eligible please?
Without the adaptations we have made she would need help going upstairs to get to the loo and getting in and out of the bath.
We would use attendance allowance for a cleaner and for taxis but these don't seem to count as they are not 'personal care'.
Thanks.

I filled in my mums AA form myself. Like people have said say what the worst day is. Do they need help with medication and ordering prescriptions. Do you communicate on behalf of them eg. Do they need help with making Dr appointments or if they are going to receive a Dr's phone appointment to help them understand all the details. Do they need help with any type of paper work paying bills sorting out hospital appointments arranging lifts for appointments. Do they need help getting dressed getting shoes on or any other personal help. Are they undergoing any treatment for any illness. Take copies of any hospital letters or future appointments and list all medications. You have to make sure that you list anything they can't do or need help with or something that takes a long time. Doesn't matter if you keep repeating yourself.

When I described how my mum dresses I said she needs certain clothes to make it easier, she can't open and shut drawers/wardrobes easily, she often keeps night clothes on as her back hurts too much to change. That's the sort of detail they want.

That would be benefit fraud.

It has to be a reasonably regular "bad day", not the one day last year when for some reason she was finding things really difficult which she usually does without difficulty.

Because most 89 year olds have some difficulties and they don't want to give it to everyone.

Ex SW reminded me that "a need that is met is still a need". So if she gets Meals on Wheels and never has to cook, still put down that she is unable to prepare meals (and why). I also put in that he couldn't carry a plate from work surface to table. just slid it along the worksurface to where he wanted to eat.

Put everything in where it is relevant, even if you repeat yourself. For example, if she can't stand unaided, then put this in when you're talking about washing and showering, preparing meals. getting undressed for bed.

Go through every bit of the day in detail. She may be able to wash, but can she hold her arms above her head to wash her hair?

And remember what you do for her - do you have to get her medicines for her? Organise them into a daily pill box? Remeing her to have her lunch?

Don't take the "worst day" too literally. Describe the needs on the bad days, even when there are days when she can manage (remember the only way now is down). But don't do it on the basis of that day last February when she was going down with a cold, and hadn't slept all night and was finding everything particularly difficult.

@MereDintofPandiculation don't do it on the basis of that day last February when she was going down with a cold, and hadn't slept all night and was finding everything particularly difficult.

Nobody was suggesting that at all. Only you.

The forms advise you to describe the current situation, and PP's were saying to describe the "worst" of the days in the present time, not one specific day in the past when they were particularly off.

Completely unnecessary and bad advice. No wonder it took you 10 hours! You do not need a lot of detail at all.

I would agree this seems excessive, however, as I described in my PP, my situation was an example of how not saying enough got my MIL refused. There is a balance I guess.

Mum mum was denied it as she doesn’t need personal care. Did people appeal?

I don't remember it being an "appeal" as such, more that there were instructions telling us we (anyone) could apply again, with no time barrier.

Unfortunately she has lots of them so it isn't benefit fraud.

I'm used to filling out forms, I found it difficult and it took me hours like I said. I don't think it was excessive,I know people who don't even bother and give up as it's too hard. I have taken copies of every page so in 3 years it should be slightly easier unless of course they change to form.

I did only say "seems" excessive, not "was" excessive...they certainly want details.

Quick update - filled all the forms in a couple of weeks ago. Decision will take 12 weeks.
Will update then in case this is useful for anyone else.

In case it’s useful to anyone else - fill in describing her needs, even if her needs have been fulfilled. If she can’t get upstairs, say that. Don’t think “well, she’s got a stairlift so stairs aren’t a problem”.

Your DM would be entitled if you fill the form correctly.

There’s a lot of inaccurate advice on this thread.

You describe the worst day.
You should go in to detail and repeat yourself.
I’ve worked in benefits, assessed them and helped people claim for them.
My own DM receives AA for arthritis and mobility issues only.

You specify the task, how long it takes, the pain involved etc.
Does she use aids to dress herself or only buy certain clothing, without buttons/zips, slip on shoes, perhaps she can’t wear socks because she can’t reach. Does she fall? Has she been injured? Does she takes meds?

@Pearl97 You ask for a mandatory reconsideration in the first instance.

@orangetree1999 I hope your mum’s application is successful.

For anyone thinking of applying, Age UK can help. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/information-guides/ageukig49_attendance_allowance_inf.pdf

Pip is for people with disabilities who are between 16 and state pension age, attendance allowance is for those over state pension age

That’s not quite right. If you’re on PIP before state pension age, it can continue. If you start claiming after you reach state pension age, it has to be Attendance Allowance.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-fact-sheets/pip-handbook#:~:text=PIP%20cannot%20be%20claimed%20from,satisfy%20the%20conditions%20of%20entitlement.

Really appreciate your help. We are rejected as my mum doesn’t need help in the night with the toilet.

Just apply for it.... Make sure you put her bad days on it as she may need further help shortly...

Neither does mine, it just takes her ages and she uses furniture to get herself there.It’s not the help you get, it’s the help you need.

She also uses stairs, it just takes her a long time, one step at a time, has to pause, she also ties a makeshift rope around the top bannister to pull herself up. It can take her 30 mins in total. You have to really think about each question and what it involves. She refuses to sleep downstairs or have a downstairs loo despite having a ton of rooms. She likes her home as it is.
Feel free to PM me, I’ll try to help. You’ll need to ask for a mandatory reconsideration.

Update in case useful to anyone else.

Application was successful.

Thanks for all the input.

That’s amazing. I must do my mums. What were the main points you changed that altered the decision ?

I am really pleased for you x