After Sending In Your Application
6 After Sending In Your Application
Once you have returned the form, the decision maker from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) may contact you, your doctor or someone you mentioned on the form to ask for more information or to arrange for a doctor to visit you. In Northern Ireland this will be a decision maker from the Social Security Agency (SSA). If a doctor appointed by the DWP or SSA comes to visit you, your carer can be with you during the appointment. The doctor may want to examine you and ask further questions. It is a good idea to make a note beforehand of the things you want to tell the doctor about.
Assessments
You might get a letter saying you need to attend an assessment to check your eligibility. The letter will explain why and where you must go. At the assessment, you’ll be asked for identification. You can use a passport or any 3 of the following:
- birth certificate
- a full driving licence
- life assurance policy
- bank statements
Appeal a decision
You can appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal if you disagree with adecision. You must usually ask for ‘mandatory reconsideration’ before you appeal.
Complaints
You can complain to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you’re unhappy with the service you’ve received.
Changes of circumstances
Your circumstances can affect how much you get, eg moving between the lower and higher rates. You must contact the Attendance Allowance helpline if your circumstances change. For example:
- the level of help you need or your condition change
- you go into hospital or a care home for more than 4 weeks
- you go abroad for more than 13 weeks
- you’re imprisoned or held in detention
You must also contact the helpline if:
- you change your name, address or bank details
- you want to stop receiving your benefit
- your doctor’s details change
“ ! You could get a £50 civil penalty (https://www.gov.uk/civil-penalty-changesaffect-benefits) and have to repay overpaid benefits if you don’t report changes and are overpaid as a result. ”
Attendance Allowance Helpline and Contact Numbers
Telephone: 0800 731 0122
Textphone: 0800 731 0317 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm Find out about call charges.
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
