The Team Support Mr. B with Mobility and Financial Independence

Background:

Mr. B reached out to our Information and Advice service, needing assistance with a Blue Badge application and support filling out an Attendance Allowance form. During the initial home visit with Bethan, it became clear that Mr. B was experiencing significant mobility issues. While he received some support from his family, his day-to-day activities were becoming increasingly challenging, especially with tasks like getting up and down the stairs and using the bathroom.

Actions Taken:

1. Blue Badge Application & Attendance Allowance Claim:

• Bethan helped Mr. B complete and submit his Blue Badge application.
• Additionally, we worked with Mr B to fill out and submit a claim for Attendance Allowance.

1. Care and Repair Referral:

• During the home visit, Bethan noticed Mr. B was struggling with certain aspects of daily life at home, particularly with stairs and bathroom accessibility. To address this, she made a phone call to Care and Repair to request an assessment for home adaptations.

Outcomes:

1. Blue Badge Award:

• Within two weeks, we received the positive news that Mr. B had been awarded his Blue Badge. He was thrilled with this outcome, as it significantly eased his mobility challenges, particularly when attending hospital appointments and other necessary outings.

    2.  Home Adaptations:

• Care and Repair responded promptly by fitting handrails on the stairs and in the bathroom. Additionally, a shower seat was provided. These adaptations have been instrumental in enabling Mr. B to move more safely and independently around his home, restoring some of his confidence.

   3.  Attendance Allowance Reconsideration:

• Unfortunately, Mr. B’s initial Attendance Allowance claim was refused. Knowing this decision wasn’t ideal, we arranged another home visit to explore the next steps. During the visit, I contacted the Attendance Allowance helpline to request a mandatory reconsideration. Bethan provided a detailed explanation of Mr. B’s mobility challenges and other issues affecting his daily life. All concerns were carefully documented during this comprehensive phone call.

   4.   Successful Outcome:

• Just over a week later, Mr. B called to share the news that his claim had been reconsidered, and he had been awarded Attendance Allowance at the higher rate for the next two years. This outcome has been a game-changer for Mr. B, providing him with the financial support needed to access additional help at home and reducing some of the financial pressure he had been facing.

Conclusion:

The combination of aids and adaptations at home, along with the Blue Badge and Attendance Allowance award, has significantly improved Mr. B’s quality of life. He now feels more confident and independent both at home and when out in the community. On a follow-up call, Mr. B expressed his deep gratitude, saying, “I can’t thank you enough. I could never have done what you did for me. You were brilliant on the phone, and it’s because of you that they changed their minds. I’ll see you in two years for my review!”

Through this case, our Information and Advice service helped Mr. B regain his independence, improve his home safety, and secure vital financial support to enhance his well-being.