DS1500 form

[Billie]

Hi all
Can anyone help re this DS1500 I've read about?
My mum receives the higher rate of attendance allowance, which I think is around 70 something pounds a week.
I have read about a form DS1500 for terminal illness. Is this the same as AA or a means of getting it quicker or something extra?

Thanks in advance
Sarah

[Seriouslypinkchick]

Hi Sarah

if your mum receives the higher rate having this DS1500 will not make any difference this just basically means you have less than 6 months to live so if you are benefits to be processed this rushes them my dads consultant has just issued one as we are still waiting on PIP to be processed been waiting 3 mths and without this will take upto 26 weeks which is a joke as my dad currently recieves £70 per week ESA which doesn't go so far

Jennie x

[Billie]

Thank you for your reply Jennie. Makes sense now! Hope your Dads situation is sorted out soon.
Thanks again
Sarah x

[Seriouslypinkchick]

Your welcome I still trying to get my head round all this myself hard to believe that people suffering with an awful disease have to wait ad long as everyone else its shocking. what makes my blood boil is the fact we was let down by my dads gp treating him for depression for over 15 mths even when his speech was slur just carried on every month not that the outcome be any diff but he be settled now and have a better quality of life

[Billie]

Hi Jennie
Thanks again. Sounds familiar with regards to your Dads diagnosis. My mum also treated for depression and then her speech started slurring and her hand stopped working. Hospital couldn't work out the speech and said her hand was carpal tunnel and it could be cured! Told she would be knitting again in no time! Ah well. Let's hope they sort your dads finances out soon. As if this disease isn't bad enough you've got all that to contend with.
Must say that with regards to the attendance allowance she did get the money fairly fast. We are having a problem now though because she had to sell her house as she couldn't live on her own anymore and paid for an extension on our house so that we could help look after her. Because she had money left over she has to pay for all her care which works out to be around £1750 a month. She also wanted the grandchildren to have some money but the financial people said she can't give them any as every penny needs to go towards her care! Bloody check! Will have to start doing the lottery!
Thanks again
Sarah x

[john]

Hi Billie,
I don't think what they saying is true. There is a figure around £23,500 I think which she is allowed to have in savings which can be ignored. Also if she is sufficiently disabled she can apply for continuing health care from the NHs. She will then be fully funded regardless of savings. Check with mnda connect who will be able to give you precise details. If you apply for chc then they pay from the date you apply so the sooner the better.
John

[Billie]

Hi John. Thank you for the reply. Yes it does sound a bit bonkers. She's obviously going through the money at a rate of knots.
We did speak to a nurse about CHC when my mum was in hospital after breaking her hip and the nurse didn't think she was near the threshold but my mum has deteriorated quite a bit this year especially with speech and mobility so it may be time to try again.
Thank you again
Sarah x

[Lilylou]

Hi Billie


Have just read your post after I had put something on Finances about ds1500. Originally I applied for Roberts pip in October last year and was told it would be 16 wks before he would be assessed. Then I read several posts about ds1500 and decided to speak to his doctor who asked me if I realized that by signing this form he would be saying that Robert only had 6 months to live. I said I did and then I asked if he knew exactly how long Robert had he could have an infection next week and deteriorate even more. I picked up the form that day from him and posted it after making a phone call to pip dept. who said I would here in 3 weeks. 3 wks to the day it has been back dated and will be paid into Roberts account tomorrow.

Not sure how it affects attendance allowance but know that it fast tracks certain benefits without having to be assessed.

Lyn

[Seriouslypinkchick]

Hi Lyn

thats fab news that they have sorted Roberts benefit out as quick as they said they would, I managed to get the consultant to sign one for dad which I sent by recorded delivery on saturday so hopefully they should have it now and should be processed in next few weeks did it take 3 weeks from.you sending it or 3 weeks from them receiving it ?

I have also discovered that there are 2 types of ESA so I have also sent them a copy of dad diagnosis so he should get the higher band of ESA I also attached a letter explaining that I don't feel an assessment is necessary as its in black and white that dad has MND and if they require any lore information to contact the hospital hopefully it should be enough and yhey should all get backdated and also receive the higher rate just want to get my dad the best of everything and make the most of what we got and money im afraid is necessary to do that

Jennie x

[Billie]

Hi
Great news about the PIP Lynn. One less thing to worry about for both of you . If ds1500 is only a way to speed up getting benefits I don't think it would apply to us . My mum only qualifies for attendance allowance as she is 78 and she gets that already. Not sure what ESA is - if not the same as AA Jennie - would your dad qualify? It's an extra payment which isn't means tested and it pays around 370 per month. One other thing I have just found out about is reduction in council tax if you are disabled. Fairly sure you get a one band reduction. I called the council tax dept and they sent me a form which was straightforward and sent it off. Will wait and see.
Sending best wishes to you all
Sarah x

[Cath51]

Jennie, If your Dad gets ESA then I assume he is of working age, ESA is means tested but you should also apply for Disability Living Allowance which is not Means Tested, a DS1500 does speed things up. My late Partner Mic was on ESA but was refused full rate DLA until we got some advice from the MND Assocation who put us in touch with our local advisor (Cathy James) who followed up the claim on our behalf. I would advise anyone to contact MND Connect who have experience about financial questions and can point you in the right direction instead of going around the houses via DWP, GP, Specialists etc. Good luck to anyone in these circumstances as it seems to vary from area to area (which it shouldn't) the last thing you need at this stressful time it to worry about money.

[magic]

ESA is a payment to people of working age. It is an insidious instrument that can cause great distress to the seriously ill and disabled.
Magic