Attendants allowance for my dad?

[FormFiller]

Just looking for some thoughts on the following.

I am thinking of applying for an attendants allowance for my dad.

He is 90, and lives alone in the family home. We have tried to get him to move, but he won't. Up until the last 6 months he has been a really active person.

However, the past 6 months have been very challenging for him. He was told he had cancer of the bladder and had an operation to have cancerous growths removed. It turned out they were not, but it took its toll on him. He didn't sleep for 6 weeks, getting up to go to the bathroom hourly.

Along side this he has been waiting for a knee operation on one leg, and suffering with gout on the other. He couldn't walk.

He is now 2 weeks post knee op and doing OK. He is staying with me for a bit, then will return home when he is back independent again.

I think he would benefit from the AA to pay for help in his home.

What are the chances? What do I need to provide as part of a claim?

Thanks for your help.

Age UK give advice. Citizens advice can help too I think.
See also the Elderly Parents board here on MN.

I found the form long but quite do-able if you attack it in parts. You can down load it and fill it in online which makes life easier (I didn't like the interactive one).

There are various questions but they are about:
. what difficulties
. how they impact
. how frequently
There are separate sections for daytime and nighttime.

eg Preparing food, eating and drinking, taking meds, going to toilet, washing etc. Difficulties and be physical or cognitive.

You don't actually need to be getting in care of anything already to qualify for AA, and it isn't means tested.

There are also sections on 'aids' and things like walking sticks, hearing aids, grab handles, glasses all count, and also a place to list all the meds.

No harm in applying. A lot of my elderly friends and my mum get it.

The process didn't seem that onerous though you should probably help him with the forms. They didn't make anyone I know do an interview, they just got the award after a few weeks of sending the forms.

Worst they can do is refuse and if you disagree you can appeal.

Yes definitely apply for it I have done it for my Dad and as pp has said it’s broken down into sections but is a lengthy form. My Dad uses it for help around the house and adaptations we have made for him.

I've done about 25 applications and all were approved. Recently I've done online applications and they were a lot easier and shorter. Given what you have said I reckon he would qualify easily

https://share.google/eEURMICjr5eCCBOHi

Online application which is a LOT shorter and easier than printing out the form and applying by post

Definitely apply! I did for my dad, we actually had two lovely ladies from DWP come round and basically filled it in for us, while asking us all the questions (we are in Wales). But they were really supportive and we ended up getting the full amount. It's all about what they are like on their worst day, not their best.

Dad was there saying everything was fine and no problems (he didnt really understand what they were there for), but they could also see all the mobility aids etc...and possibly my eye rolls!!

You can’t apply online if signing for someone else, it has to be on paper. You need to demonstrate that the issues have existed for 6 months or more, so any letters documenting hcp consultations, support or adaptations/equipment required for daily living are useful.

You absolutely can apply online for someone else. You need to state this and then answer the questions as if you are the person concerned. There is a section where you state who you are in relation to the applicant.

DH wasn’t able to for FIL.

I did it for my dad. Didn't take too long and was awarded the money. I don't think they turn many people down and I imagine your dad would be a shoe-in, OP. Handy amount too, £70 a week or thereabouts for my dad.

Phone and ask them to send you the form. They put the date in the form and your allowance gets backdated to then if it is awarded so you get a few more weeks money. You then have something like 4 weeks to complete the form.
Also plan answers in paper before completing the form so it's easier to fit everything in. I also left it a couple of days between planning and filling in the form in case I thought of anything else compelling about my mum!

Can I also check who gets paid the money? Would it go into my dad’s account?

I don’t want any relative applying for it on their behalf and it going into their account.

In my case, it goes straight to my dad. Not sure if there is a way to have it paid to someone else.

I support clients with claiming this regularly. This may help:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/before-you-claim-attendance-allowance/check-if-entitled-to-attendance-allowance/

Straight to the person claimed for unless they have a DWP checked Appointee.

It can only go to someone else's account if they are your Dads appointee for which a DWP home visit including the Appointee and approval after checks would be required.

The online application is much easier. Some people think it means less likely to be awarded as it is shorter and simpler to complete however I have not found this to be the case with my client outcomes.

Correct

Unusual. Perhaps the online wasn't available at the time? Its availability can fluctuate- for example if too many online applications are attempted it can sometimes stop accepting them. Happened to meI think twice for clients. And when the online was first rolled out you could only do it on certain days and numbers it would handle were even more limited.

You can definitely apply online for someone else. Did it for my mum and she gets the higher rate. Much of it is quite repetitive but it’s not too onerous once you get going.

Just a note of caution here as you seem concerned about a possible relative. If Dad is awarded Attendance Allowance someone can claim Carers Allowance and or Universal Credit Carers Element if stating they meet all the relevant conditions. Not saying this will happen but I kind of picked up a concern in your post. It should never happen without that claim being genuine nor the AA recipient being aware and consenting but sadly I have had a couple of cases in the past where a family member and in another case family "friend" took advantage in this way.

Odd, .gov.uk states

Apply online
You cannot apply online if you:
are an appointee
have power of attorney

anyway it was submitted on paper and although 32 pages fairly straightforward to complete as most was personal details.

Can you save the form and come back to it to check stuff or does it all have to be done in one go?

I have power of attorney.

I do have a relative who wants my dad to claim it so they can pay them to do things for him, but that’s not happening.

Understood. Good that you have POA. As another poster has clarified above you will then have to request the paper form. The CA guide via the link I posted is useful going forward.