A barrier too far for pensioners claiming crucial benefit

5.00.47pm GMT Tue 2nd Dec 2008

Over the years I have regularly raised my concerns about the lack of take up by Pensioners of the benefits to which they are entitled.

I have thus been concerned to see, through my social work role, the updated Attendance Allowance form for people over 65.

In the past the form was long and cumbersome and many people had difficulty filling it in. After years of campaigning it was simplified to encourage more people to claim. Thus I was concerned to be faced by the new form - 29 pages of detailed questions like how many times a day do you need help to go to the toilet - and how long for….

Attendance Allowance is not means tested but a form like this with its insensitive level of personal probing will put many people off. It is so detailed that many people and their families will have great difficulty in completing it. As someone who has been completing Attendance Allowance forms professionally on behalf of clients for over 20 years it took me over 3 hours to fill in my first one of the new forms.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) offer help to complete the forms and give a phone number but again many people will have difficulty saying the detail of their needs.

I have raised the matter with DWP.

Yours faithfully

Jacquie Bell

Parliamentary Spokesperson

Stockton South Liberal Democrats