Lunchtime Speaker – Nicola Whate – Grey Matters

This week our speaker was Nicola Whate from Grey Matters. Grey Matters is a consultancy that helps
people apply for the Attendance Allowance disability benefit and other benefits, such as Personal Indepedence
Payments, and also for Blue Badges. Attendance Allowance is designed for those people over State Pension age
who need help with personal care or supervision or have difficulty with tasks such as: washing, dressing, or
bathing using the toilet, taking medication or managing treatments, getting in or out of bed, or moving around
safely at home or outside, including using a walking stick, frame, or other mobility aid, communicating,
understanding information, or staying safe, particularly if they are at risk of falls, confusion, or disorientation.
Eligible complaints include Chronic Arthritis, Parkinsons, Heart Disease, Alzheimers, MS, kidney disease and any
life limiting diseases where the claimant has 12 months or less to live. Their disability must last or be expected
to last for 6 months or more. People claiming it must not be in receipt of any other disabilty benefits. The
benefit is not taxed nor means-tested. It can be paid to people who are resident in care homes. There are two
levels of benefit. The lower level is paid to those who need either day or night care and is currently £76.70 per
week. The higher level of £114.60 per week is paid to those who need both day and night care. The forms are
very complex and difficult to complete. Thus using a paid consultant to fill them in can speed the process up
and also make the chances of success greater, which can make it economically worthwhile. Grey Matters
charges £390 which is payable in two instalments, half upfront and the remainder if and when successful.
Penny Kramer gave the vote of thanks. She thanked Nicola for her interesting talk.
Last week David Hughes and Terry Smith gave a review and analysis of last year’s Swimathon with a focus
on increasing donations. Last year the event raised £18,000, which was a new record. David believes that the
Swimathon has the potential to eventually reach £36,000. The most effective groups in terms of funds raised
per swimmer were in order: (a) groups of friends, (b) charities, (c) businesses and (d) schools. The Club will be
seeking to build on last year’s success.