A Report into the level of awareness and the impact of Attendance AllowancePresenter: Emma WoodTeesside University Stockton & District Advice and Information Service

What is Attendance Allowance? A benefit paid to those aged 65 and

over who have care needs To help with cost of long term illness or

disability Paid at a lower rate of £55.10 a week or

a higher rate of £82.30 a week Can improve a recipients eligibility for

other benefits e.g. Carers Allowance

Background Information

146,960 Entitled cases unclaimed

8050 Entitled cases Unclaimed in the North East

Attendance Allowance in the (North East) - May 2015

Between £443,555 and £662,515 Unclaimed

Entitled Claiming64

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Attendance Allowance in the (North East) - May 2015

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Attendance Allowance by (Local Authority) - May 2015

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480 Entitled cases Unclaimed in Stockton-on-Tees

Between £26,448 and £39,504 Unclaimed in Stockton

(SDAIS) has helped 95 people with their AA enquiries in the past 3 months

What were the aims of the research into Attendance Allowance?

Why is the under-claiming of Attendance Allowance such a widespread issue?

How did participants find the claiming process?

How can we raise awareness? How has it had an impact on their lives

and what do they use the allowance for?

Methodology of Research

Mixed-methods approach

34 Quantitative Questionnaires

19 Semi-structured Interviews

Profile of Participants

56% were female

44%

56%

Gender of ParticipantsMale Female

65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85-89 90 and over0

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Findings

47% didn’t claim before as they had Never heard of AA

47% didn’t claim before as they didn’t know they were eligible

67% found claiming very easy with help from Advice Centre

75% found claiming very hard/hard when they didn’t use Advice Centre

53% heard about AA from a friend or family member

88% were helped by an advisor in order to make the claim for AA

56% had the form completed face to face at an agency

44% had the form completed face to face at their home

Of those who did not think they were eligible, 88% thought AA did not apply to them.

Of those who did not want to apply for AA, 100% thought that they would be viewed negatively for claiming a benefit

88% had never claimed Attendance Allowance before

65% of participants were awarded a rate of Attendance Allowance

TrendsTrend 1 – Participants thought the main reasons for under-claiming were lack of awareness and the forms being too complicated

“I think it’s because the form is so complicated, people probably try to fill it out and give up because it’s so confusing”.

“I think it’s mainly people not knowing about it or also thinking that it doesn’t apply to them”.

“I hadn't a clue about it really, I thought it was just for people already on benefits. So I think the problem is not knowing about it or knowing the criteria for it”.

“I think it’s mainly people not knowing about it or also thinking that it doesn’t apply to them. I didn’t think it would apply to me so its not very clear”.

Trend 2 - Many Participants stated that they would have been unable to complete the form without help

“I don’t think I would have been able to do it myself. I suffer from depression and it would have been a big hurdle”.

“I think people who don’t get help might see the form and give up because its so big. It should be cut down and made simpler, its silly”.

“The form was like a book, I couldn’t have done it without help. I just ignore forms most of the time because they are too complicated. There is no way I could have done it on my own”.

Trend 3 – Many Participants came up with useful ideas to increase awareness.

“There should be more information in places like the Doctors and Hospitals because that’s where you sit and wait”.

“People my age read the papers and go to the doctors, maybe something on the telly as well would be good”.

“I think an article in the Newspaper would be good. Any leaflet I get through the door just go in the bin. I think Doctor’s should tell you about it though if they see you often enough”.

Trend 4 – Participants stated that they spend their AA on various things.

“I spend it on shopping but it mainly helps towards my transport to get to my appointments”.

“Well I pay for taxis to get out and about, is nice to get out of these four walls and treat myself”.

“I could pay for repairs that I needed for my house and it goes towards my care needs as I need to pay for people to help me. It also helps towards heating and food costs”.

Trend 5 - Many participants stated that AA had made a difference to their lives.

“Its good because you feel less anxious about the little things like keeping the heating on for longer”.

“It helps us to socialise and I don’t worry so much about feeling isolated anymore”.

“It has made a big difference to my health, before I was counting every penny and couldn’t afford healthy food. I’m anaemic and have osteoporosis so a good diet is important and I wasn’t eating what I should have”.

Trend 6 -When participants were asked about what their thoughts and beliefs are about claiming benefits, many stated how it went

against their beliefs

“In my generation, nobody expects anything or hears about benefits”.

“I think a lot of people might feel ashamed though because It kind of goes against what you were taught”.

“I’ve never had anything before and I’ve worked all my life. I don’t believe in it really”.

“Well I don’t like claiming benefits but I've paid into it all my life, so I think why shouldn’t I get something back?”

Summary Many said they did not know AA existed

before applying Did not know eligibility Criteria Many identified the forms as a problem

e.g. too complicated without help Stigma still attached to claiming

benefits AA has had a positive impact on

recipients

Recommendations Encourage a myth-busting campaign to

tackle stigma that surrounds the claiming of benefits

More information in key places e.g. (Doctors, hospitals) about criteria and where to get help with application

Further exploration of how to best target friends and family members of those who may be entitled. E.g. possibly Social media

Any Questions