Residential home financial assessment

nellymay12

My grandad was in hospital for a while after a few falls and was then transferred into a rehab bed (in a care home). After being there for 4 weeks he was then admitted to hospital and is now medically fit for discharge, however the doctors and nurses believe a care home is the next step and we’re waiting for a social work assessment. 

For the past 3 years he’s been having home carers and they have been part funded by social and part funded by him. They’ve never asked to see bank statements and have just taken the information they’ve gotten from the DWP regarding his benefits and pension (he doesn’t own his own home and his pensions are his only income) 

I help with his finances by having his mobile banking on my phone and if he needs anything, shopping, clothes eg I just buy it for him by transferring the funds from his bank to mine and paying with my card. I also transfer his home care bill money from his account to mine and pay from my account. We don’t have power of attorney.

My question is, will they just take the information they have still on file from the home care? It’s the same council. Do they ask to see bank statements eg or just take your word for it? I’m worried I will get in trouble with the way we’ve been dealing with his finances as I haven’t kept receipts or anything. How far back will they go with bank statements? 3 months, 6 months? Will I get in trouble with the social workers for dealing with his money this way? 

jlfrs01

I've been through this process after my late father was admitted to a Care Home, the Council will conduct an assessment, this link to the NHS website may come in handy:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/money-work-and-benefits/when-the-council-might-pay-for-your-care/#:~:text=If you need care, the,to pay a contribution too

As for you grandfather's financial arrangements, I think them unwise. At the very least I would ask him to give you a written and signed letter granting his permission to access his bank account, etc and any transactions should be recorded. The best solution is to apply for LPA via the Office of the Public Guardian then it's all above board.

After my father died, there was quite a bit of acrimony around the division of his Estate. My sister demanded to see his bank statements and so on, threatening to report me for Fraud and Theft to The Police, because she suspected I'd abused my position. Having Financial LPA status thwarted these attempts but it could have been very difficult to defend had I no legal reason for accessing his accounts. I'm not saying this could happen in your case but one never knows - best to protect yourself I think.

Albermarle

 Probably a better solution would have been to have third party access to his bank account. This can be arranged with many banks and you do not need LPA to do it ( although sorting an LPA out would be a good idea longer term)
Some banks will insist on both of you visiting a branch, although not all. Your Grandad would have to at least speak to them to show he was fully understanding and agreeing with the process ( as he would have to be to get an LPA sorted out) .

nellymay12

I agree, looking back in time it was an unwise decision. 

Me and grandad agreed that this was a way of doing it as I live 250 miles away so online banking was best. We both rung the bank and with his permission we set it up on my phone. Always thought we had more time for a LPA and now he’s deemed not to have capacity so can’t set one up now unfortunately. 

My only question is will I get in trouble with the social workers as I don’t want it to look like I was ‘stealing’ his money.

Keep_pedalling

You won’t get into trouble, but if he still has mental capacity then I would strongly advise that you get a lasting power of attorney for finance without delay.

A new financial assessment will be carried out if he owns his home as up to now that will have been excluded.

NannaH

Why do people comment when they haven’t read the thread?
He HASN’T got capacity and he DOESN’T own a home.  

nellymay12

Keep_pedalling said:

You won’t get into trouble, but if he still has mental capacity then I would strongly advise that you get a lasting power of attorney for finance without delay.

A new financial assessment will be carried out if he owns his home as up to now that will have been excluded.

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately the doctors say he no longer has capacity and is being treated at the moment under a dols. He doesn’t own his own home it’s a council property and he doesn’t have any savings. Would a new financial assessment need to be undertaken? 

missile

I would expect there will be another assessment. 
I would suggest you answer questions honestly but do not mention you have access to his bank accounts. 

Why do you transfer money to your account? Would it not be simpler to pay his expenses directly from his account?
In the event of any investigation this would make it much easier to track where money has gone. 

Sarahwithlove

Just be honest saying that you paid his bills and then transferred the money to your account. It happens a lot more than it should. Its more when people move large sums of money or regular cash withdrawals that usually get questioned. My local council do a new assessment for care homes due to benefit impacts. Does he get private pensions or just state ones? Ig just state pension then you could become his appointee with DWP. If he has a private pension you will need to become his deputy via court of protection.