I also think she might have had help to claim it, perhaps, after her op and from hospital social services. She may have exaggerated her problems and needs. To be honest, I worked until I retired and had had problems before retirement with pain and mobìlity. I didn't think about any disability allowance, but now know if I had claimed it before state retirement age it would have continued and I could still claim attendance in addition. It would have helped a lot. I wasn't brought up in a culture of claiming benefits!!