Elderly couple with serious illnesses denied Attendance Allowance despite frail health
Both in their 70s and caring for one another say they were refused the UK benefit after officials judged they did not meet specified care or supervision criteria
A couple in their 70s who say they are in extremely poor health and rely on each other for daily care have been refused Attendance Allowance, the UK benefit for people of state pension age who need help because of disability or illness.
The husband, who is nearly 72, described a succession of serious medical problems including pulmonary fibrosis, a hiatus hernia and an oesophageal hernia, long‑standing osteoarthritis with extreme pain in his hands, knees and shoulders, a prior stroke and several collapses. He says his memory is worsening and that clinicians have told him he may need oxygen within four years and could die within five. His wife, aged 70, has severe osteoarthritis and has already had a thumb operation that she says failed because the bone crumbled; she is due to have the same procedure on her other thumb and a treatment to burn neck nerves to try to relieve intense pain. The couple said they celebrated 50 years of marriage last year and have never previously claimed benefits. They said they "muddle through" caring for each other and are worried about mounting expenses.
They told a Money Mail columnist they had applied for Attendance Allowance but were turned down. The refusal letter cited that they did not meet criteria that include needing "right through the day, frequent attention with your bodily functions, or continued supervision to avoid substantial danger to yourself or others," and a second criterion referenced in the decision notice.
Attendance Allowance is paid to people of State Pension age who need help with personal care because of disability or illness; awards depend on the extent and timing of the help required. Decision letters typically set out the specific legal criteria that must be met and the assessor's findings about day and night care needs or the requirement for continuous supervision.
The couple's account underscores recurring issues faced by older people with complex needs: establishing how daily limitations and intermittent supervision are assessed within the benefit framework; compiling medical evidence; and the financial strain that can follow a refusal. The husband and wife said they had not previously accessed welfare benefits and expressed concern about covering future costs linked to worsening health and increasing care needs.
Appeals processes for Attendance Allowance decisions include requesting a mandatory reconsideration from the Department for Work and Pensions and, if that is unsuccessful, lodging an appeal with an independent tribunal. Applicants are advised by charities and advisers to include detailed medical evidence and testimony about how conditions affect day‑to‑day life when seeking reconsideration.
The couple's case was raised in a consumer finance column that covers pensions and benefits. The column provided an opportunity for readers to send similar questions; it did not publish an agency response from the Department for Work and Pensions about this specific claim.
Campaigners and welfare advisers say refusals are common and that many successful claims are won after additional evidence is submitted or following appeals. The couple said they will consider their options as they continue to manage daily life and mounting health challenges while caring for each other.