The situation
We met this older couple at the Florence Nightingale Hospital, through the Cadent Foundation. Both live with multiple long-term health conditions. She has had two hip replacements and a knee replacement, with another knee replacement still to come, alongside arthritis. He lives with COPD, asthma, chronic kidney disease, a replacement heart valve and prostate cancer. Their conditions affect even the most basic daily tasks, they help each other to dress, and he often becomes breathless simply talking and needs to rest during the day.
How we helped
During our first conversation we completed a full benefit check and identified that both of them were likely eligible for Attendance Allowance because of the level of care and supervision they each need. We arranged a dedicated appointment to complete their applications properly, making sure their conditions and daily challenges were clearly evidenced. We registered both onto the Priority Services Register and produced a personalised energy plan to help make their home more efficient and bring their bills down, with simple changes they could make straight away.
The difference it made
Both were awarded Attendance Allowance at the higher rate of £110.40 a week, worth £11,481 a year to the household. The personalised energy plan set out measures, from loft insulation to solar panels and new windows, that could lift the home's energy rating from a D to an A, with further discussions planned to take that forward.
"You were very professional and very good for us. Made the application process for Attendance Allowance very smooth."
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