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Do I need to do anything re AA & Fees

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My Dad has been in hospital for the past three weeks, having had a stroke. He has been in a care home for the past 12 months. I have EPA over his affairs. (He has Dementia)
My question is,
do I need to contact anyone re his payment of Attendance Allowance while he is in hospital? Is he still due AA, if he is in hospital? I was informed that I should contact the DWP re his state pension while he is in hospital. Is that correct?

Re his care home, I have just received his monthly invoice for his care fees. Is he entitled any discount or rebate while he is in hospital.

Any advice welcomed.

Comments

  • Biggles
    Biggles Posts: 8,209 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    AA should cease after four weeks in (an NHS) hospital, you should notify DWP (phone number on the letter awarding it).

    You are supposed to tell them when a recipient of state pension goes into hospital but I don't believe it affects payement.

    As regards the care home, I imagine this may vary from one to another, have you looked at the contract? Best to ask them, though obviously they will know already and should take the appropriate action.
  • margaretclare
    margaretclare Posts: 10,789 Forumite
    Hello Norman

    According to the little leaflet that comes with the Attendance Allowance letter, 'Attendance Allowance may only be payable for the first 28 days if you are receiving free inpatient treatment in a NHS hospital or hospice'.

    AA is meant to help people to pay for extra help they need. Therefore, for someone getting free care, it makes sense. The leaflet also says 'you must phone or write to us straight away'.

    I think that retirement pension is different. After all, if you're a pensioner you probably have to pay your rent and council tax whether you're in hospital or not. You still have expenses and it would be completely unrealistic to deprive you of ALL income.

    I don't see why he should have to pay for his care home though, if he's not there.

    Margaret
    [FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Æ[/FONT]r ic wisdom funde, [FONT=Times New Roman, serif]æ[/FONT]r wear[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]ð[/FONT] ic eald.
    Before I found wisdom, I became old.
  • Norman-B
    Norman-B Posts: 1,638 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thank you both for the replies. I will contact the DWP on mon also the care home re his fees.
  • LittleVoice
    LittleVoice Posts: 8,974 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Norman-B wrote: »
    Re his care home, I have just received his monthly invoice for his care fees. Is he entitled any discount or rebate while he is in hospital.

    He might be morally (and perhaps contractually) entitled to a small discount/rebate. This could reflect their reduced costs relating to food and consumables. However, unless they have moved all his things from his room and have another resident in his place, they would be justified in seeking payment for everything else as it is available to him and it is no fault of theirs that he is not taking advantage of their facilities.
  • dzug
    dzug Posts: 2,260 Forumite
    There used to be a rule that your state pension was stopped or reduced once you had been in hospital a certain period. But it was abolished a year or so back.
  • Norman-B
    Norman-B Posts: 1,638 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    He might be morally (and perhaps contractually) entitled to a small discount/rebate. This could reflect their reduced costs relating to food and consumables. However, unless they have moved all his things from his room and have another resident in his place, they would be justified in seeking payment for everything else as it is available to him and it is no fault of theirs that he is not taking advantage of their facilities.


    That's as I see things but my sister thinks otherwise.
  • margaretclare
    margaretclare Posts: 10,789 Forumite
    dzug wrote: »
    There used to be a rule that your state pension was stopped or reduced once you had been in hospital a certain period. But it was abolished a year or so back.

    I think that this rule disappeared more than just 'a year or so' back. I think it hasn't been the case for quite a long time.

    After all, as I said, your normal living expenses don't disappear even if you're in hospital!

    DH and I actually claim money from HSA per night if we're ever in hospital, and even for a day stay, like cataract surgery. HSA do this because they recognise that there are expenses associated with being in hospital even if treatment, food, bed etc are all free - there are other things, and then there's your own home which needs upkeep.

    Margaret
    [FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Æ[/FONT]r ic wisdom funde, [FONT=Times New Roman, serif]æ[/FONT]r wear[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]ð[/FONT] ic eald.
    Before I found wisdom, I became old.
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