Money in bank/care home

amyanderson2

Hey there, just looking for a bit of advice. My step dad's mum has passed away in a care home that was fully paid for by dwp/ government.
The care home have issued their final bill however all she had was the money in the bank, £800 which obviously doesn't cover funeral costs let alone care home bill.
My question is, since the money was paid into her bank for care home fees (by dwp etc) does this still have to be paid or can this money now go towards her funeral costs?
Thanks

Alfrescodave

As the dwp provided money for the care home then the final bill must be paid using this money and not for any other bills such as funeral expenses.


If the care home bill is for any additional costs then perhaps the dwp will pay for these

Keep_pedalling

The DWP don't pay care home costs, it's the local authority that do that and they pay the home directly, and in turn bill the resident for their contribution, which is usally derived from their pension payments. The money in her bank account will have been for her pension.

Whether the care home are owed money or not it is clear that her estate is insolvent, in which case the family are under no obligation to pay any depts or for the funeral. Assuming she died in the home the responsibility for the funeral falls on the LA who would arrange for a simple funeral to take place.

pollypenny

Any money from the DWP in her account is likely to be state pension and/or Attendance Allowance.

amyanderson2

Thanks for the replies so far.
I honestly have no idea where the money comes from but I know that it is paid from some government body for the cost of the care home. My mum had to call every month to pay the bill from the deceased bank account.
Her funeral has all ready taken place under the assumption she had life insurance however we have now discovered that she does not and now owe approx £4000 for a funeral so the money in her bank would sure help.

amyanderson2

We are in Scotland if that makes a difference

Keep_pedalling

amyanderson2 wrote: »

We are in Scotland if that makes a difference

It does sound like the payment system is somewhat different to England.

amyanderson2

Yeah I think so, I know they got a letter recently saying that it was all changing come March and they will pay the care homes direct.

Art_Deco

amyanderson2 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies so far.
I honestly have no idea where the money comes from but I know that it is paid from some government body for the cost of the care home. My mum had to call every month to pay the bill from the deceased bank account.
Her funeral has all ready taken place under the assumption she had life insurance however we have now discovered that she does not and now owe approx £4000 for a funeral so the money in her bank would sure help.

What is your mum still paying for ? Surely if a resident is deceased the fees would stop , I can understand how they are not liable for funeral costs but you shouldnt still be paying for care as they have probably filled the empty bed by now .

amyanderson2

Sorry I think I should have been clearer, mum was calling every month to pay the care home but has not paid the last month due to her mother in law passing away.
The outstanding care home fees is something like £611 and the funds are there so should they just pay it seeing as it was paid into the bank for this reason?

Art_Deco

amyanderson2 wrote: »

Sorry I think I should have been clearer, mum was calling every month to pay the care home but has not paid the last month due to her mother in law passing away.
The outstanding care home fees is something like £611 and the funds are there so should they just pay it seeing as it was paid into the bank for this reason?

I would have thought you still needed to pay any outstanding bills up until she passed away then they would not need paying anymore because they are not providing a service to you,thats how it normally works in England, not sure if its different in Scotland.