Helping my brother with equity release

Keep_pedalling

The problem you have with both ER and benefits is his refusal to engage, which seems to be related to undiagnosed mental health issues. Even though you have POA unless he is seen as loosing mental capacity you can’t use it without his consent. 

I think it might be worth talking to Age UK to see if they have any advice on how to proceed.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/

How long before the money runs out and he can no longer pay for food, CT and utilities? If this is coming up rapidly them I would also talk to social services as I think this could be classed as self neglect. 

bouicca21

As all the bills are paid automatically, does he actually understand that he needs a pot of money from which to pay them?  Or is it a bit like they get paid by magic? How does he pay for food?

otb666

Another vote for Adult social services you cannot do it all without some help and support even if he does not engage you have then done all you can do and have a clear conscious.

gaznoid

It's good to know that he will get a pension through pension credits, that is a relief! That's 3 years away though and he has about 4 months money left. He buys food and sort of looks after himself day to day but not to a standard of cleanliness that most would consider acceptable! He got himself into trouble not paying the bills when he still lived at the family home so I made sure that was sorted when he moved. It's difficult to know if he truly understands what's going on as he is difficult to talk to. I don't currently have POA.

I will contact AgeUK and adult social services. I have already spoke to citizens advice who were not particularly helpful.

It sounds like ER is not going to work anyway. I wasn't keen anyway, just thinking it might be an easy shortterm solution.

Thanks everyone for some really useful advice and the realisation it can only really go one way now.

elsien

How do you mean, you don’t currently have power-of-attorney? In an earlier post, you said that you did so unless he has revoked it, it’s still in place. 

gaznoid

It was a temporary 6 month power when he moved to the flat so I could deal with solicitors for the move.

elsien

So general power of attorney, then rather than a full lasting power-of-attorney. He could do another one of those if he wanted to. 

PennysIntoPounds

My sympathies for what sounds a very challenging situation.
I would echo others in saying that asking him what his plans are when the money runs out in four months needs to be the first step, and asking him if he wants to engage you as power of attorney- if you want to have POA. No-one can reasonably judge you for not wanting to parent an adult who's not even your child.
If he's unable or unwilling to engage in a conversation about looking into benefits and he's going to run out of food and utilities soon, then adult social services probably does need to be your next call.

This is an anonymous benefits checker, you could see what he may be entitled to, but also see if there's anything you're entitled to, as you don't sound like you're going to let him go hungry or freeze, and good for you- but make sure to look after yourself too

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/benefits-check/

Murphybear

quotememiserable said:

You're not your brother's keeper. Why can't you just leave him to sort it out himself

It sounds a bit like my brother.  He is in a care home with dementia.  Dementia creeps up on you often taking many years.  I learnt that from working for a mental health charity, we funded a lot of research on Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia.  His wife had the POA but sadly had a stroke recently and died after 3 days.  I am taking on the POA as he needs someone who knows him well.  

I may end up being my brothers keeper but he can’t sort himself out 😿 

elsien

You probably already know this, but just for clarity you can’t take on the LPA unless you’re already on there as a reserve, or he still has the capacity to make a new one.
if neither of those were the case it would need to be an application for deputyship