Attendance Allowance

[NorthernDancer]

Not an EP as it goes, but my DH. I am in the process of applying for AA for him of the advice of our OT and with the support of CAB. I have been told that I don't need to worry about sending any supporting information about his medical conditions, one of which is incurable/terminal, as the DWP will contact the medical personnel involved to get their take on his situation.

This goes against everything I have always been told or read on these boards, so I would just like to clarify it if possible, if anyone has made a recent application.

Thank you.

I made an application last year for my DM. I included copies of a letter from her consultant confirming her diagnosis, and from memory, one of the medical professionals who work with her also put some info on her form. It was approved first time and within a few weeks. I hope it goes smoothly for you.

There's a fast application process in the case of terminal illness so it may be related to that?

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/claiming-attendance-allowance/claiming-attendance-allowance-terminally-ill/

We're not quite there yet, so we're not applying under Special Rules.

Have you got a DS1500 I think it’s called, to say he’s terminal?

You don't need to provide additional evidence. As long as you describe the needs well enough as AA is based on what you can do and what you need rather than your diagnosis. Obviously if you qualify for the ds1500 a medical person fills this in but the DWP will contact the GP surgery
I've applied for AA for 4 people in the last few years and never needed to send anything. (England and Scotland)
My dad's came through in 3 weeks (no special rules) and my cousin's in a similar time, again no special rules. So just fill in and send but be very particular in describing what they can do.
Eg risk of falls. Or deafness...can't hear phone or doorbell or visual problems...may trip, can't get out etc.
Good luck.

I sent copies of all letters I had with details of health conditions and medications.

There’s an online application form, google it, no supporting documentation needed.

With a terminal diagnosis you automatically get the higher rate payment. I believe you have to get a form from the medical professionals/GP but it sounds like this may be in hand already.

This is correct- you don't need medical evidence.

If you've got a copy of his prescription list then you can send that off .

I take it he is over state pension age ?

Dont forget to claim carers allowance if eligible

At the end of September our DD filled in online the application for Attendance Allowance as my DH is now classed as Partially Sighted no sight in left eye and right eye not great he also has slight dementia. She did not have to include any supporting documentation only state the hospital he is under which is Moorfields Eye Hospital. Plus of course GP details etc. within a week I was surprised to receive a phone call that the woman calling was reviewing the application and just wanted to check a couple of details. She then said we would hear within 7-10 working days which we did and he was awarded it. Two weeks later a call from our GP to enquire if we had received it as they had obviously contacted them.

Thanks all

We have been in receipt of AA for about 5 years and I would submit as much medical evidence to cover the claim.
Dr's letters reviews and medication taken.

I assist people with these forms all the time as part of my job role ( national charity for the elderly ). I always always send some kind of medical evidence such as a GP summary report, recent hospital letters, adult social care report. I was trained by Citizens advice and was always told that medical evidence was key to a successful claim same as with PIP etc. I'm sure DWP will contact GP surgery if they need more but I just think if you can just make life easy for them to make a decision then do so yourself. Most GP surgeries will print off a summary free of charge. We also have a lot of people coming to us who try to do the online application themselves and get turned down . I just don't understand why there is no option on it to upload evidence. Surely the DWP aren't going to dish out up to £110 a week ( plus all the extra pension credit etc that being awarded AA can bring ) without some proof of care needs or medical conditions that are likely to result in difficulties?
As others have said an SR1 form as it's now called for a prognosis of less than 12 months will get the higher rate within a couple of weeks although normal non special rules claims are only taking around 4-5 weeks at the moment. Good luck.

I took ages filling in the form, we had a call with CAB arranged by Macmillan, I attached recent letters from the hospital, his prescription list and an MRI report.

The acknowledgement said the application would take twelve weeks to process, but it's only taken two and Attendance Allowance has been awarded at the higher rate and backdated to December.

Result!

Great result @NorthernDancer

I'm so sorry you and your husband are in this position. Please make sure you look after yourself as well as him. It sounds as though you've got support from MacMillan which is good.

It can't hurt to send off medical letters stating your DH conditions. Surely it would speed things up.

This is correct if it was an online application which many are now. I do about 2-3 a month for clients. The paper form still requires supporting evidence. I haven't seen lower outcomes from my online applications: AA do indeed contact the GP, etc. Hope that helps.

Thats good 😊 yes although 12 weeks is given as the maximum time, 2-4 is much more common for my clients. My record was 6 days!

Something to be aware of (not directly relevant to the OP topic but may be of use to anyone who comes across this thread) is that in the current law/rules, if you AA is reassessed from lower to higher rate then there is a six month “waiting period” from the date the condition worsened/ qualified for higher rate.

We’ve come across this as DP was on lower rate, went into care (at crisis point for various complicated reasons) and I applied for higher rate. I got the confirmation of HR eligibility back within a month or so. The HR has been backdated to the date DP went into care but will only be paid from six months after that date.

My understanding is it’s based on the rationale that the condition might improve in that period (so only LR is needed not HR, although there is no formal reassessment at the six months mark). This is however grossly unfair for lots of people like my DP who has advanced Alzheimer’s (no concept of where they are, who family are, cannot feed themselves etc). In six months time they might not even be alive, they sure as hell aren’t going to magically get better.

There are no exceptions for specific conditions (such as Dementia) it is a blanket rule. You can only appeal based on criteria not being applied correctly, not that there is zero chance of improvement in the six month window.

Yes, I'm waiting on an uplift to HR application for DF, who became night time care needing after a fall just over 6 months ago but only started self-funding care after discharge from hospital 2 months ago. I sent various supporting documents (discharge summary, care assessment), I'm hoping it will backdate to 6 months from the fall. His lower rate was suspended during his hospital stay.

Some of the rules seem to make no sense and I find people often can't pinpoint a date when night time needs started as these things sort of creep up especially with conditions like dementia. Then finding the medical evidence to prove night time needs is hard. I try to send things like dated ambulance call out forms showing time of fall etc but it can be hard to find relevant evidence. I find most seem to be awarded higher rate form the start though especially from late eighties. Age apparently doesn't come into it only care needs but I've had a few turned down where the claimant has been in their late sixties yet have been really unwell with significant needs. Some of the decisions just don't make sense.