OH in care home - financial position

Errata

That sounds interesting Sue. Does one have to be sans all marbles, or just a few, to be let off council tax. Like your mum, I'm quite keen on saving money where possible

Savvy_Sue

Errata wrote: »

That sounds interesting Sue. Does one have to be sans all marbles, or just a few, to be let off council tax. Like your mum, I'm quite keen on saving money where possible

I don't know, but from your posting history you still seem to have plenty! :rotfl:

Seriously, I would think that you would need to 'lack capacity' to be let off. Quite how one lives alone in that state I'm not sure, although I suppose someone with learning difficulties might be OK to care for themselves on a practical level, but be incapable of dealing with bills etc, so that might be where it comes in.

sleepless_saver

They wouldn't take all his pensions. Your mother would be able to keep half his occupational pension.

anmarj

sleepless_saver wrote: »

They wouldn't take all his pensions. Your mother would be able to keep half his occupational pension.

but they have to watch out for this

from the website:

The Council will only recommend passing this money over to a spouse where it is of financial benefit to do so i.e. where such payments will not reduce the spouse’s/partners eligibility for the benefits i.e. Pension Credit. The Advisor from the Welfare Rights and Assessments Team will be able to give advice on whether or not it is beneficial to the spouse remaining in the martial home to receive such payments.

sleepless_saver

thanks anmarj, I hadn't spotted your earlier post about this.

Pollycat

Just to say a big Thank-you to everybody who's replied. :T

I'm usually clued-up about stuff, but this has got me in a right spin.

At the moment, Dad is OK, gets a bit confused and forgetful but still recognises people.

For some time I've been dealing with utility/financial companies on his and Mum's behalf but maybe now is the right time to get things on a more official footing.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm waiting to hear from Social Services if the surplus from the budget they've allocated to Dad can be used for payment of short-term residential respite.
This is all we're looking at currently, as I said in my OP we are managing and aren't looking for permanent residential care (fingers crossed).

You've given me some great advice if the worst happens and he does have to go into a home, so once again 'Thanks'.

Mojisola

Pollycat wrote: »

JAs I mentioned earlier, I'm waiting to hear from Social Services if the surplus from the budget they've allocated to Dad can be used for payment of short-term residential respite.

In our county, a couple of weeks of respite is available for free in order to give carers a break. Ask about it.

Have your mother and sister had a Carer's Assessment? See https://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/guide/assessments/Pages/Carersassessments.aspx Their needs should be addressed and respite care is part of that.

Mrs_Money

Pollycat-this happened to my FIL (his wife went into care) and yes good advice above re your mum being entitled to half his occupational pension - I have a feeling there is more on these things on Age uk.
Savvy Sue is quite correct - POA is taken out before a person loses their "full capacity" and a Deputyship is taken out afterwards. And yes, it does take ages - I read somewhere (may have been Age UK) that it is 6 months before they even look at an application for Deputyship.
Bear in mind also that it may be worthwhile if you or your sister apply for Deputyship and not your mum. I say this for 2 reasons- first, it is quite "paperwork heavy" and my FIL (a retired businessman) struggled with it when he applied for his wife, secondly, when my FIL died, my sister-in-law had to then apply for it again for her mother - yes, you guessed it- another 6 month wait! This caused complications re sale of his property etc.
Just a thought.
My FIL's solicitor also advised him to completely separate his finances from his wife's (separate bank accounts etc, divide all savings and investments) he failed to do this in one bank account and it cost him thousands, as half the money (which was all his from selling his business) was taken by the LA to fund his wife's care.
It's complicated - but you'll learn quickly!

katsclaws

Hello Pollycat, I am sorry to hear that your dad has dementia. Can I suggest that you go to the Alzheimer's Society forum Talking Point. Your mum will find lots of support there. It is so important to sort out a Lasting Power of Attorney before your dad loses capacity. There are lots of useful factsheets about finances. Do you get Attendance Allowance for your dad.? It is not a means tested benefit.
I have found the Alzheimer's forum to be a lifesaver.

Savvy_Sue

Just on LPA and 'capacity', it is possible for someone to have 'capacity' sometimes but not all the time. If your Dad is less confused in the mornings, say, and less confused when at home rather than out of the house, then it's perfectly acceptable to have him sign the forms at home, in the morning, when he's 'capable'.

You do need an independent witness, and I think it has to be more than witnessing their signature, they also have to confirm that he has 'capacity': take a good look at the forms and work out who could do this for you (if you think that's a possibility). But getting an LPA set up is definitely easier and quicker than going for deputyship.

I don't know if you can have multiple deputies, but you can certainly have more than one attorney, and as Mrs M says it's definitely worth thinking about who it should be.