Council Care invoices in arrears, Monthly Income, 4-Week Invoicing

PJ11011

I'm sickened with worry... my father has been resident in a nursing home for the last few years. He had no capital or assets when the council assessed his affairs, yet found that his pension was suitibly large enough for him to pay a Full Charge. While this in of itself isn't an issue - he has the money to pay for it - he, like everyone else in the world recieves his pension monthly.

The council invoice every 4 weeks.
I noted at the time that this would eventually mean that a new invoice will be generated before the previous one had been paid - I pay it, I have LPA Financial Affairs.

That situation has now arrisen and his care bill is now in arrears. I've tried phoning the council to speak to someone but I never get though (I work full time, so only have my lunch break to make personal calls) and of course they're closed at the weekends. Emails have gone unanswered.

I'm at a total loss as to what to do next.
I've called Age UK, who've referred me to their finance people, but that will take time apparently.

According to the contract, they can cancel his care with 28 days notice - leaving him homless! He's unable to walk or feed himself any more. I can't care for him at home.

Any thoughts on what I can do to solve this miserable situation?

KxMx

I'd take a day/half day off work and sit at home on the phone, hanging on until you are able to speak to someone. 

elsien

Just to reassure you, they will not chuck him out because he is 28 days in arrears. 
They have a duty of care, as do the local authority. You cannot be forced to take him to your house under any circumstances and with his level of need it would be unsafe for you to do so. 
Take a deep breath. This is sortable but at the end of the 28 days he will not be homeless.
If the care home do give notice, (which they won't do for someone who has been there for so long and has paid on the dot all these years) then the local authority have a duty to safeguard him and somewhere else would be found. Whatever happens, he will have a roof over his head so stop worrying. 
 Call the nursing home. Explain the situation, that it's a temporary blip and you are sorting it and will keep them updated.  They will be fine with that. 

As an aside, does he have nursing needs and has he had a Continuing Healthcare Assessment to see if he qualifies for any health funding, as his condition deteriorates? Also worth looking into if you haven't already. 

Torry_Quine

Would it be better to set up a direct debit or standing order.

PJ11011

Torry_Quine said:

Would it be better to set up a direct debit or standing order.

It would not, becuase if they request the DD before the pension has been paid, then it will bounce, as there's no money left until he's paid again.

Brie

PJ11011 said:

Torry_Quine said:

Would it be better to set up a direct debit or standing order.

It would not, becuase if they request the DD before the pension has been paid, then it will bounce, as there's no money left until he's paid again.

That's why a standing order would be the better option.  It's his bank account sending the money but it's only sent if the money is there.  Then again it's no different than you going online and making the payment - but it saves you the hassle.

Personally I like the idea of calling the care home so that they are aware that there's an issue and that you are trying to sort it out, not ignore it.  They may possibly have a better way to contact the council and might be able to assist.

Keep copies of any emails/letters you send receive as proof of your efforts.  Also keep a record of any phone calls - number, date, time and the fact that it wasn't answered.  If someone does eventually answer note their name as well as what is agreed on the call.  

Most importantly - don't panic.  As others have said no one is going to kick him out.  So many places are used to having people with money issues similar to this.  

PJ11011

elsien said:

As an aside, does he have nursing needs and has he had a Continuing Healthcare Assessment to see if he qualifies for any health funding, as his condition deteriorates? Also worth looking into if you haven't already. 

He does have nuring needs, he was assessed several years ago but did not meet the criteria. I should ask them to assess again.

Would certainly help if they found in his favour.

Keep_pedalling

As he has been paying for a number of years I can’t quite see how 4 weekly billing has got him into arrears only now. If he was paying monthly then each payment would be 8.33’ % higher so providing the payments were OK in the early years ( presumably with a small buffer in the account) what has changed recently?

PJ11011

Keep_pedalling said:

As he has been paying for a number of years I can’t quite see how 4 weekly billing has got him into arrears only now. If he was paying monthly then each payment would be 8.33’ % higher so providing the payments were OK in the early years ( presumably with a small buffer in the account) what has changed recently?

He did have some savings, not enough to trigger self-funding. That's been eroded and topped up by his private and state pension but now it's dwindled to nothing.

Keep_pedalling

PJ11011 said:

Keep_pedalling said:

As he has been paying for a number of years I can’t quite see how 4 weekly billing has got him into arrears only now. If he was paying monthly then each payment would be 8.33’ % higher so providing the payments were OK in the early years ( presumably with a small buffer in the account) what has changed recently?

He did have some savings, not enough to trigger self-funding. That's been eroded and topped up by his private and state pension but now it's dwindled to nothing.

After his personal contribution from income he should still have been left his Personal Expense Allowance, which I think is currently around £25 a week, is that the case?

Torry_Quine

Keep_pedalling said:

PJ11011 said:

Keep_pedalling said:

As he has been paying for a number of years I can’t quite see how 4 weekly billing has got him into arrears only now. If he was paying monthly then each payment would be 8.33’ % higher so providing the payments were OK in the early years ( presumably with a small buffer in the account) what has changed recently?

He did have some savings, not enough to trigger self-funding. That's been eroded and topped up by his private and state pension but now it's dwindled to nothing.

After his personal contribution from income he should still have been left his Personal Expense Allowance, which I think is currently around £25 a week, is that the case?

I agree he shouldn't have to use all his income.

OP does he get Attendance Allowance?