When is a house taken into account in assets?

cepheus

A close friend of my now deceased Mother was talking to me about her finances last week.

Her son who is in his late 40s lives with her. He has been plagued with medical problems, mainly to do with his eyes since birth although balance is now a problem. For some reason he doesn't qualify for disability benefits and is unemployed.

I have just realised if she went into care her house might be taken into account in her assets. Would her son count as a partner etc which might exempt it from being taken into account?

alanq

It will not be taken into account if occupied by a relative who is ‘incapacitated’. "The term ‘incapacitated’ is not defined but should apply to someone receiving an incapacity benefit or disability benefit or who would fulfil the medical conditions to receive one of these benefits". So the case that you mention is uncertain.

See Section 2.1
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS38Treatment_of_property_in_the_mean_test_for_permanent_care_home_provision_fcs.pdf.pdf