Deferred payment loan re care home fees

Bellabella_2

Not sure if this is the right place to post this. I can't find a section on care home/elderly issues?

I'm just applying for a deferred loan from the council to help with my dad's care home fees until his house sells as we've run out of funds. 

I'm almost 4 months in - emails were not responded to after my initial application, then I found out the wrong info had been exchanged between depts leading to my application being ignored, then I was told I'd be better getting a bank loan because it was taking 6 months to process loans, then yet more emails were not responded to, especially the ones in which I complained about emails not being responded to.... Now, well, it's become so complicated and little makes sense, even to the lovely people at Age UK! 

I was really just wondering if anyone knew how long this process ought to take and whether councils are under any (legal) obligation to process applications in a certain time frame. 

Thanks!

powerspowers

No advice but that sounds shoddy service! Your local councillor may help put a wind up the appropriate department. 

Is dad in a local authority home and are you still paying? If it’s a case of the council organising a loan to pay their own fees I’d leave them to it. 

MallyGirl

You are right that there isn't an obvious home for your query. I can see several threads about Deferred Payment Schemes in the following places:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/house-buying-renting-selling
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/marriage-relationships-families
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/over-50s-money-saving

I am happy to move your post to one of these locations as I don't think you will get many people with the right knowledge in here

Bellabella_2

Thanks, MallyGirl, that's okay. I found out there's no legal obligation, but yes, it is pretty shoddy, powerspowers. I've had some advice and am trawling my way through all this.... We really need to sell his property! 

Marcon

I'd certainly make a formal complaint: https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-your-council

purplelady99

Maybe a letter to your MP as well about your experiences with the Council. A letter from your MP to the Council might galvanise them into action. Sorting out funding for care is difficult enough without having the Council making things even more difficult by not responding to emails. 

Bellabella_2

Yes, someone else suggested contacting my MP earlier today, and I may do that. Thanks for the advice everyone!