What evidence is needed for Attendance Allowance-advice welcome!

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I am wondering if this might be something we can apply for, for my dad. He is mid 80s, had a spell in hospital last year with emergency complications from a hiatus hernia. He then got pneumonia, Covid and a urine infection and after several weeks in hospital was released but has remained weak, wobbly and quite confused. He has glaucoma and related medication for that, has had both eyes operated on with cataracts but still struggles with vision and is no longer able to drive. He can’t walk far and walks mainly with a stick (though wants to walk without!). Struggles to do simple tasks, eg make a sandwich, struggles to put clothes on the right way round and struggles with depth perception/word retrieval-it sounds like cognitive decline but nothing is particularly in writing. I did write to the GP saying all this who sent round. A practice nurse to take blood and as him who the prime minister was (!), but nothing really happened and I don’t know what’s written in his notes?

He’s got lots of medication for the hiatus hernia (they decided not to operate as it would be such a risk at his age) and also for the glaucoma. At the moment, my mum is doing pretty much everything for him but she is also mid 80s and struggling. If they could get a cleaner I think this would take the pressure off her a bit.

Is attendance allowance appropriate/likely? What evidence would we need?

They can ask for medication lists and any letters to prove sight or mobility. Its best to add this evidence if you have it to hand.

I recently helped my mum make a successful application. I recommend phoning and asking for a hard copy to be sent as the payment is then back dated to the date of the phone call.

A useful piece of advice I read on MN was to consider what adaptations the applicant has had to make to the way they do things. If they can manage to do something but have to do it differently to how they did it when they were well and able bodied, don’t just say they can do it, explain how they have had to adapt. For example, my mum can still put her own shoes on but has to use a shoe horn and can’t wear shoes with zips or laces because her hands are too arthritic to do them up. Also, a lot of the questions ask what help the applicant needs with various tasks. This includes help from equipment as well as from people. My mum washes herself, but has to use a perching stool at the sink as she is too unsteady to stand safely. That counts as ‘help’. Finally, don’t worry about repeating information; put down everything that is relevant to the question you are answering.

I claimed it for DM and, in my opinion, just filling in the form honestly is all you need to do. We asked the GP for a summary of her medical conditions and medications to make it easier for us to remember it all. Dm gets the lower rate as she does not need assistance overnight

I submitted an official prescription list rather than one I'd just copied.

I was also advised to describe what the person is like on one of their worst days.

You don't need much I don't think. My mum didn't. She just sent some recent hospital letters etc. but she didn't ask anyone to supply any extra info.

Just listed her illnesses, her meds, gave details of all doctors and GP she was under. If they're on PIP already then mention that.

They don't really make you evidence abilities to do daily tasks but if there are carers involved then statements from them would be good. Though I guess they could potentially do a home visit?

I don't think they even made her do an interview. Just filled the forms.

Same for my friend. It seemed pretty straightforward.

But everyone is different obviously. Definitely go for it though.

My dad really balked at receiving benefits for the first time ever. I sold it to him as the replacement for meals on wheels and home helps (which is sort of true) and that was enough for him to change his mind.

I've just done this online for my mum and dad using my knowledge and access to their medical records online. Chat GPT also helped me phrase things as there's a word count online.

It took 3 weeks for my mum to get a decision and 2 weeks for my dad. They both got the higher limit.

They both "deserve" it as their problems are real but I was expecting to have to put up more of a fight

Can I ask if the AA form needs to be written in first person if completed and signed by someone else. DH has a POA stamped by OPG, would he need to send the original?

I help people to claim AA. If for example I am doing it for someone with dementia and the carer has POA and are giving the answers then I usually send a copy of the POA or the code so they can access online. I have only had problems with one where they wanted to see the original POA and it took a lot longer to sort.

The form has been really simplified and you no longer have to write narrative accounts of the person's needs.
I did my mums in, i think November of last year and it was approved in 2 weeks!