Attendance allowance for dementia carers, any experience?

[MorrisZapp]

My step mother has alzheimers, and my dad is her full time carer. She is still able to feed herself, go to the bathroom, express her needs verbally etc and is intermittently sharp as a tack. She is deteriorating though, and cannot be alone at all.

They own their own home, my dad has a decent public sector pension and my SM has savings. My dad seems to think that this means he can't claim attendance allowance? I also see that in Scotland they are changing AA to a new disabled pensioners benefit in April.

Does anyone have experience of claiming carers benefits when not on any other benefits?

AA is not means tested. You dad can't claim it, it is your mum who would need to (obviously with help). Definitely worth trying.

I don't have direct advice, but try giving Citizens Advice Scotland a ring. They'll be able to help and then help him apply if he is eligible. Citizens Advice Scotland

Hi OP,
I successfully applied on behalf of my Mum, a few months ago.
The on line form was pretty straightforward tbh, it was just a matter of telling the truth, rather than looking on the bright side. As my Mum has massively more belief in her ability than she should have & my Dad would rather minimise it all (denial) I just did it myself based on what I see (I didn't show them because it's such a sad situation).
The only delaying factor was getting a copy of the powers of attorney for health and finance; we ended up going to the local job centre so they could copy & stamp them as "original seen".
Best wishes with it all

Oh that's brilliant, thank you. I didn't realise AA was paid to the person with the disability. The denial/look on the bright side model is so common. I have worried about my dad for years but he won't even admit he's a carer, he seems to think it's like saying that SM is some kind of problem, which he can't bear as he loves her so much.

I think the last six months or so have brought him closer to accepting things. He's open to talking about it so I'll suggest we look at the application together. SM can't read any more but she fully understands what's going on.

AA is non means tested. It would be your stepmum who claims it not your dad, although if she is not aware of what she is signing , whoever has Power of Attorney for her will need to do it. I have done a number of AA forms for people living with dementia recently. Just focus on the supervision, prompting etc that she needs., how she is at risk if left alone. whether she needs supervision with medication etc. The most important tning in my opinion is sending in medical evidence with the form, so proof of taking dementia drugs if she is, memory clinic assessment letter etc. Age Uk may be able to help with form filling. Don't forget also that once AA is awarded , they can also get a disregard on their council tax bill if GP is willing to sign the severe mental impairment form. I think it's 25% of their council tax and can be backdated to when the AA was awarded.

That's really helpful, thank you. She's on loads of medication, and has been attending the memory clinic for years.

Have you asked the GP to refer your parents to social services for an assessment. I've had experience with a relative diagnosed with dementia - the social worker helped fill in the form

I would also suggest ordering the form from the AA helpline rather than using the online one. The date you call up is then protected and you get six weeks to send it back and it will be backdated to the date you called up. There seems to be a new online tick box form which gives you the option to just tick boxes and not expand on answers and no option to upload medical evidence ( this is just what I have heard from clients who have done it themselves).. These seem to be being turned down more frequently. This si just what people are telling me not what I have experienced as we don't use this system of applying when helping people. My colleagues and I are suspicious that this is DWP's way of turning forms down under the guise of making it a simpler process ! Obviously it's up to you which method of application you use but I believe ordering the form is the best way. Someone from DWP once advised me to put down anything I think is relevant even if it doesn't necessarily fit into the questions they ask. There are blank pages at the back of the form to add additional information.

Not sure if it’s the same in Scotland but in wales your stepmum would also be entitled to claim council tax discount as she has been diagnosed with dementia. The council tax discount can then be used to claim other things, for example in my LA the fees for our community alarm service would be at no cost. Your local council have probably got a team that can help look what they are entitled to and help claim.

Definitely apply for it. If you apply online it is paid from the date of the application. If you request a paper form, it is paid from the date it is approved. If your DM needs to eventually go into a home and is considered a self funder it will be expected that she is in receipt of it.
Whilst you’re looking to the future, have either of your parents applied for Lasting Power of Attorney? If not, I’d strongly advise doing so asap. I’d also advise that they nominate you as an attorney. My stepfather had dementia. DM applied for AA for him but not LPA for either of them as she believed she’d outlive him and she’d live til 100 with her full faculties. Lo and behold, she died very suddenly whilst he was in hospital in Jan 2022. I ended up sorting his affairs out and had to apply for Deputyship through the Court of Protection, which took over 8 months to come through. As he was in a care home by this point, I was able to get his state pension paid to me so I could pay his fees, then sell his house.
It was an absolute nightmare for a year.

Also, make sure you complete the form as the worst case scenario!

If you apply for a paper form it is backdated to the date you ring for the form which is date stamped.

The council tax discount applies in Scotland too. When my dad was diagnosed with vascular dementia he and DSM accepted all the help offered in terms of getting proper advice. FIL was later diagnosed with Alzheimer's and he and MIL buried their heads in the sand with the result that they paid too much council tax for years and struggled to get help when they really needed it because they weren't in the system.

I just wanted to correct this: in Scotland, if someone moves into a care home after a social worker assessment, they can receive a personal care payment- you don't get Attendance Allowance at the same time.

Op, definitely look into Power of Attorney- in Scotland, it's known as continuing power of attorney (when it relates to finances) and welfare power of attorney.

It sounds like your dad hasn't had much advice or support. Alzheimer Scotland have a 24 hour helpline and would be worth contacting. Often there are local groups that provide huge support both for carers and the person with dementia.

Apologies, I got it the wrong way round! I also didnt notice that the OP lives in Scotland! I really got it wrong here!
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/claiming-attendance-allowance/how-to-claim-attendance-allowance/