Colin Cuthbert: ’Be honest about your situation, and provide enough detail about your limitations’
active 2 years agoColin Cuthbert: ‘Be honest about your situation, and provide enough detail about your limitations’Attendance allowance is an important benefit for elderly people who need help caring for themselves, but millions could be failing to claim.It’s worth either Ā£58.70 or Ā£87.65 a week, and you don’t need to be hard-up to qualify.Ā It is for people over 65 who need help at home because of an illness or disability.ButĀ Colin Cuthbert, senior entitlements adviser at retirement home developer McCarthy & Stone, recently warned that three-quarters of the residents he has helped to apply for attendance allowance were previously unaware of its existence.Anyone who applies has to fill in a detailed form about how well they can cope with basic activities, like moving around the house and going to the toilet.Below, ColinĀ offers tips on what to include, how best to convey any daily struggles, and other practicalities involved in making an application.If you are over state retirement age and have problems with your health and/or mobility, then there are potentially a range of benefits available to you.One of them is attendance allowance, which is there to help older people with a physical or mental health problem.Attendance allowance is a non-means tested benefit, so your finances will not be checked if you apply.Ā It is paid at two rates, so you could get Ā£58.70 per week or Ā£87.65 per week depending on your situation. It is also tax free. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Over 65 and can’t cope without help? You could qualify for a… I retired early due to ill health – how do I continue to… Dramatic rise in complaints over means testing for social… My mum suffered from dementia and I found social care… Share this article Share 268 shares HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP The quick guide to protection insurance: From life cover to income cover, what you need to know Attendance allowance can make a big difference to people’s lives, and I help hundreds of our customers claim it each year.It can give you back some of your independence and control.
It can help pay for living costs, food, heating bills or helping with domestic chores or gardening.If you are awarded the benefit, you are free to spend it as you wish – you don’t have to spend it on care. <a rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" website To claim attendance allowance you, or someone doing it on your behalf, need to complete a 31-page application form.Ā This is available from the Disability and Carers Service on 0800 731022, or you canĀ <a style="font-weight: bold;" class="class" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" website it off from the Gov.uk website.Ā The Government should take around six weeks to process applications but it can take longer.Ā If you are turned down, you can request a reconsideration within four weeks.Ā If still unsuccessful, you can appeal the decision, which can take up to six months.
You can reapply again in about six months.Ā Filling out the attendance allowance form can be complicated, but here are some tips to help you through the process.1. Be honest about your situation, and provide enough detail about your limitationsMake sure you are stating your situation accurately but also include enough detail to ensure the person reading the form understands what you are going through.If you struggle with a particular task, such as walking up the stairs or going to the bathroom, or if you have a certain pain that means it takes you a little longer to do something, make sure you add it to the form.You might not think it sounds important to other people, but if it’s a big issue for you, it should be included. After applying:Ā The Government should take around six weeks to process applications but it can take longerTo provide the detail, make best use of the blank boxes when completing the form.It’s important that you explain the help, supervision or difficulties you have in Questions 27-43 (see some examples below).Don’t just tick the boxes or write how to make sleep screen last longer galaxy s6 many times you need help or supervision, but provide the detail.2.
Keep a diaryIt helps to keep a diary for a few days before completing the form so you don’t forget any difficult tasks or things that are painful or take longer. You may be surprised by the number of tasks you struggle with.It’s also important you explain how many times you need or get help each day for the ‘care needs’ questions.
You should also explain how many times you have difficulties.For example, if you need help or have difficulty getting to and from the toilet, remember to write the total amount for the day.3.
Read the notes and the questions in full before starting the formMake sure you read <a style="font-weight: bold;" class="class" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" website notes that come with the attendance allowance form before you start filling it in.Ā It’s important to know exactly what the Disability and Carers Service is looking for to make sure you have the maximum chance of claiming the benefit.Ā Also make sure you read the full question and not just the bold print. Attendance allowance:Ā To claim it you, or someone doing it on your behalf, need to complete a 31-page application form4.
It’s fine to repeat yourselfYou might feel like you’re repeating yourself in some of your answers, but it’s fine to write about the same thing again if it’s relevant to more than one question.For example, if you have mobility problems and have difficulty getting to the toilet, you should explain this in Q28: ‘Do you usually have difficulty, or do you need help with your toilet needs?’.You should also repeat these points in Q31: ‘Do you usually have difficulty, or do you need help with moving around indoors?’.5.
Mention the adaptations you use in the relevant questionsTypical adaptations include stair lifts, grab rails and raised toilet seats.You’re asked to write down your adaptations and aids in Q25: ‘Please list any aids or adaptations you use’, but you should also write about them in the relevant ‘care needs’ questions. For example, if you use a grab rail to get in and out of the shower, you should also mention it in Q29: ‘Do you usually have difficulty, or do you need help with washing, bathing, showering or looking after your appearance?’.6.
Check before sending the formSeek help to check or complete the form before you submit it as it is not what you say but how you say it that can help make a successful claim.Age UK, Citizens Advice, Parkinson’s UK, and Macmillan Cancer Support are examples of organisations that may be able to help.
If you are a McCarthy & Stone customer, then you can use our services.You can also ask for help from the Government on filling in the form, or for an interpreter, by calling 0800 731 0122.Read through the form again before sending it to make sure you’ve answered everything properly.Make a copy of the form if you can – you might need to refer to it later.
Making a copy of the application is important as the Disability and Carers Service sometimes claims not to have received the form, even when it’s returned in the prepaid envelope provided.Ā <div class="art-ins mol-factbox money" data-version="2" id="mol-e4d33770-b20c-11e9-900f-9951c7bc8ce9" website tips on claiming attendance allowance, worth up to Ā£88 a week
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