Topic: just need to rang - sorry

[Ceri]

took my husband's infirm uncle for his attendance allowance appeal this afternoon - point blank refused - hour of questioning, 5 minutes decision.  My poor uncle is 72, has sight problems, can't go out on his own, is in constant danger of falling with major knee, hip and back problems, doesn't eat properly, forgets what time/day it is, can't get dressed properly on his own etc. etc. etc.  He hardly understood the meaning of half the questions.  His 45 yr old next door neighbour has a cash job on the side, and spends his spare time knocking down walls in his house - and gets attendance allowance.  Because my uncle is honest and won't play the system he gets nowhere.  I am distraught and so so angry.  This poor man has never claimed a penny in his life. I work full time, have two children and a husband - and have to do a 30m round trip twice a week because he can't get out - att. allowance would at least have paid for a taxi once a week. What do you do? (That's rhetorical unless you really know what to do!!!)

[SueT]

Hi Ceri, could Citizens Advice help you out with this problem?  It`s disgraceful!!  >:( >:(

[gavin]

Hi Ceri

Angry for you - a friend was convinced her mistake was to actually turn up for the interview; anybody fit enough to get there, up 7 flights of stairs, couldn't by definition be disabled.  Oh, and not turning up excludes you also.

As well as CAB, you've probably already been in touch with Age Concern? - but if not they have info on "benefits" and local branches/contacts on http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/.  Or DIAL UK might also be able to help with advice on attendance allowance (http://www.dialuk.org.uk/).

Not much help, Ceri - sorry;  but hope that you find some step forward ----- Gavin

[tim]

- makes you spit? Put it to the local newspaper? Or beyond? Or MP - for what that might (not) be worth? Certainly, it should not rest. = Tim

PS Just have to say this - to show you how uneven the system is. Wife was disabled for 2 years. Attendant's allowance - great help - new knee - getting better - warned DHSS to cut allowance - got form for more allowance - said NO - CUT it - sorry we can't cut it - unless you fill in this 23 page form - did so - allowance has gone up. For God's sake - what more can one do? And they are on strike today for more pay!! Well, I'm not spending it, because sooner or later they'll sue me for misrepresentation??  = Tim

[SueT]

Good idea Tim  ;D

[legless]

ing your mp, i'm in contact with alan campbell at the moment regarding job seekers allowance (they gave it to me and i think they shouldn't have they should just have given me a job) and his office are really helpful.

it is disgusting that your uncle has been turned down.

[ciaozzy]

Yo Ceri

Sorry about bad news, but these forms are designed to put peeps off claiming their ENTITLEMENT  or by asking some very seious and personal questions that to dignify with an answer would cost that person their very own dignity... fraid notmuch help past appeal stage Ceri, apart from appealing the appeal...

you may find some help here Ceri

http://www.disabilityuk.com

here in cardiff we refer peeps to the local law centre for advice andhelp in filling in benefit forms,,, talk about kicking peeps when they iz down,

really can empathise for you and your Uncle anger,,

Oz

xxxx

[Ceri]

thanks guys - one piece of advice we were given was to apply anew (first application was in May and its taken this long to go through), and coach my uncle!  which is so wrong but that apparently is what you need to do.  Bless him, he just says what he think people want to here, and is so eager to prove what he can actually do.  Told them proudly how he can get upstairs in his house - buy sitting backwards on the stairs and hauling himself up using the bannister step by step with a 10 minute rest in the middle - but yes he could do it!  I will fight on..... and on

[aquilegia]

Ceri that is awful. My heart goes out to your uncle-in-law. (I must admit to getting a little teary about the stairs thing - he obviously is making the most of his terrible situation)

And it's terrible that you have to play the system in order to get what he is obviously perfectly entitled too.

Big hugs to all.

[Muddy_Boots]

As yet another who is battling unsuccessfully with the system, I sympathise Ceri.  Seems that honesty doesn't pay nowadays!

Try the avenues suggested above, may well change things, well I hope it does!

Hugs

Kate

[Granny_Smith]

Ceri I know the feelings that you have. When my dear Dad needed help, just looking at the forms confused us  so much, we got someone from a local charity that specialised in helping elderly and handicapped people to come round to assist with filling in the form at no cost. He was great - a retired legal executive - who knew all the right answers to the questions. Dad was awarded his attendance allowance at the full rate and without any questions being asked  (did not even have to go to any meetings).

Apply again and try to persuade Uncle not to be so 'willing' in the answers that he gives. If the the DSS even suspect that he is coping for part of the time on his own, they will turn him down. Unfortunately none of us want to believe that we cannot look after ourselves anymore and we don't want to become a burden on our family. Independance is something we all want.

Don't give up - please keep trying, I'll be thinking of you

[gavin]

Not for nothing is it know as the Department of Stealth and Total Obscurity - doesn't do justice to their Kafkaesque decisions, however.

All best - Gavin

[ciaozzy]

But its the very nature of the forms.. they are not intended to help assess people as to the needs.. there primary objective is to disuade peeps from applying in the first place and those that do, have to answer sme very undignified questions again this is to deter.. it is always better to let professional peeps deal with form filling because they know exactly what the dss refuse peeps on... and those blo*dy forms... why a doctors note is not suficient  dont know?

Oz
xx

[Muddy_Boots]

Government rules Docs, Docs have their own mind, Gov ignores!

kate

CAB at all times!

[Mimi]

Ceri so sorry to here about this awful decision. I can only agree with whoever gave you the advice to apply again.  It took 3 applications before my dad had his application granted.  Wont go into the details of all that is wrong with him,but  surfice it to say, he did eventually get the allowance.  Very best of luck to you both.

[allotment_chick]

Hi Ceri
Have you tried your local Age Concern?  They often have benefits advisors who will help you with all the form filling and appeals.  Failing that, contact your local Association of Voluntary Services (the library should have the details) - there may be a benefits advisor with some other organisation.
Whatever you do, don't let the B**st*rds grind you down, mate.
AC x

[spade]

My dad had similar problems with benefits and debt because of his age and memory and AGE CONCERN were fantastic they fill in forms and fight your corner.Brill peopel .Dont let the buggers get you down.Good luck Ceri .Angie