OH in care home - financial position

happy_lass

Pollycat wrote: »

Just a hypothetical question at this stage - I'm not sure if I should post this on the Benefits board or here:

My elderly Dad has been diagnosed with Dementia and is living at home, cared for mainly by Mum and my younger sister (who's getting Carer's Allowance) and extra help from me and Social Services who have done a 'care budget' for him and they're providing daily assistance with dressing etc as well as other services, such as twice-weekly visits to a Day Care centre and a weekly sitting service to allow a bit of free time for Mum.

It's been a big adjustment for all of us (especially as it happened pretty suddenly) but we're trying to make the best of it.

Neither Mum, my sister or me want Dad to go into permanent residental care, although we have used short-term residental care (a week) to give Mum a break and take her away on holiday.

The majority of the household income is actually in Dad's name (DLA, state pension, occupational pensions etc) and I've been wondering what would happen to that income if Dad did have to go into permanent residental care.

They have a small amount of savings, below the County Council limit to pay the full rate for care but over the Council limit to get HB & CTB so they are currently paying full rent & countil tax.

Would Dad's income (DLA, State Pension, occupational pensions) continue to be paid into their joint bank account or would some or all of this be taken to pay for the care home?

If Mum didn't have Dad's income to pay rent, council tax, electricity, water and phone bill she would be paying out much more than she would receive (reduced state pension only) and her tiny amount of savings would quickly disappear.

I do appreciate that should anything happen to Dad all his pensions would stop and when her savings drop to a certain level she'll qualify for HB, CTB etc.

I'm not wanting to get out of paying what is due but would just like to understand how Mum would be affected if this change should happen.
With Dad's illness, she's started to realise that she could be in trouble financially should circumstances change.

Although approaching 80, Mum's still sprighly and likes to meet friends & family and I'd hate to see Mum's quality of life be changed for the worst on top of this blow to Dad's health.

Thanks

if your dad went into a care home and was 'self funding' then his DLA mobility and care would still be paid. If he was in a care home funded by the local authority then the care bit of his DLA would stop and so would your sisters carers allowance. I think the mobility part of DLA would still be in payment although i cannot be sure and would stand to be corrected on that. I am not sure about any of the other benefits or pensions though. If i were you, i would give the benefits enquiry line a ring on 0800 882 200 and explain it all to them and they will be able to give you the best advice . :beer:

happy_lass

hi pollycat. did you call the benefit enquiry line? i was just being nosy and wandering what they had said if you did call them??