Elderly married couple. One goes into a carehome. Benefits for the other one?

Howarewetoday

I have elderly neighbours who are a married couple and live together. After a while in hospital and 'rehab' care homes one of the couple is now in a care home. The other neighbour now lives alone.

The neighbour who is still at home asked whether I knew if she would be eligible for any financial help as the care home fees are very high.

She has tried to speak with Citizen's Advice and the Welfare Service but hasn't got through to anyone.

I suggested that she could contact the local council to get discount on her Council Tax; she's done this.

She gets basic state pension but nothing else. I don't know how much state pension she receives.

She's not registered disabled and receives no state benefits beyond her pension.

Any suggestions or info would be great please.

thanks in advance

NoMore

Benefits & tax credits — MoneySavingExpert Forum

probably best to ask in the above

Cairnpapple

Age UK may be able to help

elsien

how are the care home fees being paid?
If fully self funding, that implies at least 23.5 K worth of savings.

Was the local authority involved in confirming a long-term place in the care home and if so has the financial assessment been carried out? I wonder if they have slipped through the system a little and are paying more than they should be?

do they qualify for council tax benefit?

There isn’t any such thing as being registered disabled for benefits purposed but if she has her own care needs, she could look at attendance allowance.

Marcon

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81964558#Comment_81964558

I've asked for it to be moved

GrubbyGirl_2

Another vote for Age UK as they have people who will go through all the finances and will assist in getting any benefits she is entitled to. It will save her having to navigate it all herself

xylophone

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/siteassets/documents/factsheets/fs41_how_to_get_care_and_support_fcs.pdf

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/siteassets/documents/factsheets/fs10_paying_for_permanent_residential_care_fcs.pdf

Torry_Quine

They will both be assessed as individual single people. Only the money in the name of the one in care is taken into account.

LHW99

The one who is in the care home should only be being assessed on their own personal wealth. The partner should not be being asked to make a contribution, and the value of their house is disregarded if the partner continues to live there.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/siteassets/documents/factsheets/fs39-paying-for-care-in-a-care-home-if-you-have-a-partner.pdf

NedS

Agree with the two comments above.

They are effectively now two single people for benefit and care home funding purposes.

It is easiest if their assets are separated at this point. So separate bank accounts for an income, state pension etc.

The person in the care home will be assessed on their ability to pay. The family house, if owned, will be disregarded as long as the partner continues to live there. They will only be required to pay for their own care if they have assets over £23,250, or have excess income from which they can contribute. If they have not already had one, they should request an urgent financial review to be conducted by adult social services.

The person remaining at home is also now considered as a single person, so they may be able to claim Pension Credit and can certainly claim the 25% single persons discount for Council Tax.

Suzycoll

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6664334/elderly-married-couple-one-goes-into-a-carehome-benefits-for-the-other-one

I would advise their first port of call should be their local council adult social services. They will have a financial assessment team who can check for any financial help, benefits etc

She may be entitled to pension credit?

Age UK is a charity that will also help or if either person was previously in a profession maybe their union or charity?