Care Home Residents Wrongly Being Denied Attendance Allowance - UK

13 May 2008

NHFA Care Fees Advice has alerted us to increasing evidence of the DWP getting the benefit rules wrong - so people are losing out on Attendance Allowance, worth around £3,500 per year at the higher rate. Attendance Allowance is a non-means tested benefit paid to people who have to sell their homes to self fund their care.

It does not matter if care home residents are receiving the NHS Nursing Care Contribution to their fees. The DWP rules clearly state that Attendance Allowance should continue in these circumstances. It is the opinion of NHFA and well supported by our own experiences that DWP decision makers are confusing the NHS Nursing Care Contribution with fully funded NHS Continuing Care - to the detriment of many vulnerable, compliant older people.

Accreditation for special advice to older clients

We would strongly advise people self-funding care to obtain appropriate advice from the NHFA - some of whose advisers recently obtained the new Later Life Adviser Accreditation (LLAA). This is due recognition for the specialist skills and knowledge NHFA has in dealing with older clients at very vulnerable times in their lives.

NHFA care fees advice is available to all, regardless of means. Don't delay.

http://www.caredirections.co.uk

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