Since Phil's health was declining and limiting his movement, his GP prescribed an appointment with Citizens Advice Harlow.

Phil’s story:

Since Phil's health was declining and limiting his movement, his GP prescribed an appointment with Citizens Advice Harlow for him to receive assistance with a Blue Badge application. A Blue Badge, according to Phil, would "help to improve his quality of life." 

Our Adviser saw Phil at the Surgery, and after doing an initial exploration and advising Phil of his options, a new face to face appointment was offered at our office to make an online Blue Badge application. In order to prepare for the application, our adviser explained to Phil what paperwork was required and how to collect his medical records. 

During the second appointment, the adviser determined that Phil may qualify for a benefit known as Attendance Allowance (AA), which helps with the additional costs associated with a disability when care or supervision is required. Phil was originally reluctant to learn more about benefits because he had never needed or claimed them in the past. 

Phil was prescribed a new appointment with us by his GP, as he sadly received a terminal illness diagnosis. The doctors issued him a Special Rules form (SR1) to aid and fast forward any benefit claims due to his diagnosis.  

Following his new terminal diagnosis and the original advice regarding AA, Phil had a change of heart. He called the AA helpdesk to begin the claim process and asked for our assistance in understanding how to submit this claim. Phil received our guidance on his AA entitlement and the necessary processes, along with our assistance in completing documents and advancing his claim.  

Phil received additional assistance at our office in completing the necessary paperwork. Our Adviser went over the entire process with him in order to finish his AA claim, and we sent the form by post. Phil left knowing what to anticipate and how to get in touch with us if there were any problems. 

Phil received confirmation that his Blue Badge was approved after 3 weeks of our assistance and also called back to let us know that his Attendance Allowance claim was approved and started to get paid 10 days after our support with his form. He is being paid the enhanced rate of £108.55 per week.  

Phil expressed his sincere gratitude to the adviser for all the help he had received. We anticipate that the Attendance Allowance will lessen the financial burden of receiving a terminal illness diagnosis, and that the Blue Badge will improve his quality of life during his final months. By working together with the GP and hospital professionals, we ensured he was aware of his entitlements and made his claims in a timely manner. By engaging with DWP and the Council to complete his claims, we made sure he was able to achieve his successful applications.  

NB: Names and certain details have been changed to protect our clients’ anonymity