Social Services want money from house

chipsdog

Not sure if this is in the correct place, please move if not

My friend's dad has sold his house in order to buy a flat

His wife is in hospital after a stroke, once they have the keys to the flat she will be able to come home, however, the house has been sold but, the flat has gone gone through yet.

The hospital are saying she can come home, but, nowhere suitable for her to go, so she will have to go into a nursing house. Social services are saying as you have money from the sale of the house you MUST pay for the care, but, the money is to buy the flat

any idea what can be done?

thanks

BitterAndTwisted

I think your friend has possibly got their wires crossed.

onlyroz

My understanding is that while the husband is alive they can't make him sell his property to pay for his wife's care home fees. The situation might be slightly complicated because he doesn't currently own a house, but I'm sure a solicitor would be able to give the appropriate advice.

puddy

as this is temporary care the first 13 weeks is disregarded isnt it? i thought it was paid for

its only if the diagnosis is that the care needs are long term that it needs paying for

thegirlintheattic

Is it medical care?

I don't think they can FORCE him to sell but I know my nan was charged when my late granddad went into a care home as she had savings, and it was classed as non-medical care.

Seanymph

I suspect technically they are right - how long until he gets the flat?

Johnhowell

It could be that half the house belong to friends mother, therefore once sold half the cash belongs to her and if more than the threshold amount should contribute to her care costs.

If no cash realised from the sale because all used to purchase flat - then council can put a charge against the property. I understand they can NOT force a sale if a partner still lives in the property.

One question, how can friends father sell family home once mother was in hospital - sounds very odd to me.

Good luck,
John

moggitymog

it looks like the financial assessment was done after the sale of the house so it looks like they have lots of money, contact the finance department and ask for a meeting to explain

chipsdog

moggitymog wrote: »

it looks like the financial assessment was done after the sale of the house so it looks like they have lots of money, contact the finance department and ask for a meeting to explain

yes that is correct, half the house is the Mother's, but, she was not fit enough to move back into the house, so they decided (mother, father and my friend) to sell house and buy a ground floor flat. The flat sale should hopefully be only about 4 weeks time. at the moment on paper it looks like they have plenty of money, but, this money is to buy the flat. the father has asked his solicitor to keep hold of the money, but, I don't know the outcome of that conversation.

thanks everyone for your replies