Mum becoming homeless due to frozen account.

Pugsley_Heckford

Hi all,
Just reading and realising that some people may not necessarily believe the post is real however sadly it is. I can appreciate however it does seem far fetched unless you are actually living it which sadly we are.

Mum has MS has had it a number of years and it is attacking/remitting. Each attack leaves her a little worse and this last attack as ended up with her having to use an electric wheelchair probably permanently and having to use a hoist. Previously she could transfer on her own and use her stair lift etc. She can no longer do this and now cannot even support herself to stand or take any steps. Previously she could complete her personal self care and just need assistance for preparation of meals etc.

Dad was admitted with a chest in section then picked up a urinary infection whilst in hospital which they have been trying to treat for a number of weeks now.

Whilst we knew dad was abusive we did not know the full extent until they came in hospital and different family members, neighbours and mum have given the full picture. we have found out dad has been telling her he "wants rid" for a while. No one is saying dad is unfit to sign forms for the hospital but neither are they saying he is fit. The social workers need to wait until he is medically fit to assess if he is competent to sign any paperwork.

I have just joined the forum and along with most people do not use my full real name. I have joined to see if anyone had ever gone through something similar and hoped that someone would have some advice or tips. To be honest I was hoping someone would say oh you need to complete such and such a form or speak to this particular department.

The money is for my mum and dad to use to look after themselves and not for me or my brother. We have told them both for years use it, buy a bungalow, go to the pub do what you like just have a good quality of life. We have been pestering them for years to move into something more suitable as with MS we knew what the likelihood was of something happening eventually. But dad wanted to stay where he was.

Mum has been recommended to live in a supported flat. One which has access to communal areas, laundry facilities, an on site manager 24 hours and one which either can provide carers or she can employ her own and they come in.

They have said she needs 2 carers for the hoist 4 times a day. Ive priced but could change as they need confirmation to confirm availability. £20.00 per hour pp 30 mins per visit £80 per day. Plus her rent but we are hoping that with her pension, PIP and dipping into savings should cover costs. I can get her shopping etc.

That you for all those who have helped and commented. I have been in touch with social services and they are getting back in touch Monday.

Thanks.

tacpot12

Did I miss something? Why can your mum not return home?

lisyloo

tacpot12 wrote: »

Did I miss something? Why can your mum not return home?

Have you not read what it says??

She’s confined to a wheelchair.
Presumably this means she can’t even get herself a drink of water as the house (with stairs) has not been adapted as this condition is new.

If she is never going to improve (assumption) then it’s probably better for her to get new housing than try to adapt a house with stairs as she’d only be able to use the upstairs when carers are present to hoist her.

Not sure how it works with care at home but in the nursing home my MIL resides at they always have two carers present when using a hoist.

Hospitals/social workers/occupational therapists do have systems in place to asses people’s homes before chucking them out.
Do you really think anyone would be saying she can’t go home if she could???

My sympathies OP, some of the posters here are difficult to fathom.

Terry_Towelling

Pugsley, (why did you pick that name by the way?) could you just confirm why your parents' home has seemingly been taken into account when assessing funding, what its valuation was, when the assessment took place and roughly how much money is actually in this current account of theirs (if that's not being too intrusive? I have a feeling the assessment may have been carried out incorrectly.

What has been happening to their direct debits since the account was frozen?

Why don't you try to wheel her back to the bank to undo the request to split the joint account (as others have suggested)?

And finally, would you like to give a bit more detail as to how your mum has been getting PIP.

jonesMUFCforever

The problem is that if the bank think there is a dispute both account holders have to agree to unfreeze the account - the bank will be in an impossible position if mum goes back into the bank.
It is IMO imperative that PoA are obtained.

tacpot12

elsien wrote: »

All the more reason that the house is disregarded till you have a clearer picture of his future needs.
I added some other things into my previous post, btw, in case you missed it while I was amending.

lisyloo wrote: »

Have you not read what it says??

She’s confined to a wheelchair.
Presumably this means she can’t even get herself a drink of water as the house (with stairs) has not been adapted as this condition is new.

If she is never going to improve (assumption) then it’s probably better for her to get new housing than try to adapt a house with stairs as she’d only be able to use the upstairs when carers are present to hoist her.

Not sure how it works with care at home but in the nursing home my MIL resides at they always have two carers present when using a hoist.

Hospitals/social workers/occupational therapists do have systems in place to asses people’s homes before chucking them out.
Do you really think anyone would be saying she can’t go home if she could???

My sympathies OP, some of the posters here are difficult to fathom.

Sorry I missed the details about why she could not return home. But having re-read the problems, it seems like a care package could be put in place for her at home while arrangements are made for her to move out to somewhere more suitable. It's still her home so gaining access should be a matter of getting the key or a locksmiths.

Robin9

elsien wrote: »

That's not right. The hospital social worker is responsible until mum leaves hospital then she would be allocated to a community social worker. The hospital SW should be doing more to support in this situation....................

I don't think that's right either.

The NHS is responsible for the first 6 weeks after discharge and will set up a care package as necessary perhaps 4 visits a day (my MIL had this and there were two carer's at every visit). The team was called REACT (not sure but Return Elderly and Community Team ?) - its purpose to clear beds. SS were not involved at this stage.

SS will do the financial assessment

ffacoffipawb

Terry_Towelling wrote: »

Pugsley, (why did you pick that name by the way?) could you just confirm why your parents' home has seemingly been taken into account when assessing funding, what its valuation was, when the assessment took place and roughly how much money is actually in this current account of theirs (if that's not being too intrusive? I have a feeling the assessment may have been carried out incorrectly.

What has been happening to their direct debits since the account was frozen?

Why don't you try to wheel her back to the bank to undo the request to split the joint account (as others have suggested)?

And finally, would you like to give a bit more detail as to how your mum has been getting PIP.

Strangely enough, there is an account in that name on facebook

https://m.facebook.com/Pugsleyheckford?fref=nf

enthusiasticsaver

Your mum will not be made homeless. Social care is not very joined up but she will not be discharged from hospital until a suitable place has been found.

The money is a different issue and a cautionary tale on what being too forthcoming with information can lead to. If your mum had just withdrawn half the balance from the joint account that would have been fine. Once the bank learns of relationship splits or mental incapacity they freeze the account. Always best to have a separate stash somewhere and get POAs when both parties have capacity. I am afraid this will probably mean having to go to court to get a court protection order to rule on finances but if there is a divorce pending and a house as a main asset plus presumably pensions that will complicate things. You need legal advice. It will also be expensive.

Pugsley_Heckford

Hiya
If you have over £23 k in capital including savings and property you have to be self funding.

Direct debits can continue in a frozen account.
I’ve been back to the bank with mum as to the bank to beg basically and the answer is still no. Ps we got a wheelchair taxi and the driver helped us.
You sound quite knowledgeable do you have any ideas for the frozen account?
Thanks