Continuing Health Care - Preparing to fight PCT's decision

Beryltheperil_2

Hi all

Not sure if you will allow me to make contributions to the thread as I am actually only 45. Could I become a junior member? BTP

Errata

Congratulations Beryl, you can rest easy now. Don't worry about your age !
It's Silver Savers not "ancient and totally past it "

weanie

Well done Beryl the Peril!

monkeyspanner

Beryl -That was quick, well done.

-State pension is still payable whilst CHC funding is in place.
-AA is payable for the first 28 days of the CHC funding then it stops. In my MIL's case the AA already paid was deducted from the CHC back payment.
-Ask for interest on the payments your mum has already made for her care. We were told that the revenue had instructed the PCT to deduct tax from the interest element so we asked and had an tax deduction certificate.
-Ask for your expenses, sometimes this is paid as part of the interest payment we had to itemise a specific claim.
-My MIL was still paid 50% of her winter fuel allowance whilst in receipt of CHC funding but this might have been age related.

Initially we were told reviews were normally every 6 months but we had heard due to lack of funds this was being made more frequent, My MIL actually never had to have a review. I believe the PCT can set their own review policy but I am not 100% sure of that.

It did take a few weeks to actually get the money and arrange a fee handover date but it was relatively straightforward.

So pleased to hear of your sucess. Keep on posting, anyone involved in this process is bound to have a little silver.

malid

monkeyspanner wrote: »

Beryl

-State pension is still payable whilst CHC funding is in place.

Beryltheperil

Congratulations; I am so pleased that this has been resolved; it's such a shame that people have to wait and have to search for all the relevant information. All the information should b readily available/explained and people shouldn't have to rely on the experiences and goodwill of others; however, forums (fora?) such as these are invaluable.

Re State Pension, Monkeyspanner is correct. Your mum will now be able to keep all her pension as opposed to the 'pocketmoney' element.

Not sure if this is relevant in your mum's situation, but you may fin dit useful to look at the Power of Attorney if you haven't already done so.

Keep fighting to all those of you following this thread who are trying to get justice.

Merry Christmas

Savvy_Sue

Errata wrote: »

Congratulations Beryl, you can rest easy now. Don't worry about your age !
It's Silver Savers not "ancient and totally past it "

And as I've said on other parts of the forum when suggesting people pop over here, we don't ask to see your bus pass or birth certificate! All are welcome.

ukmaggie45

monkeyspanner wrote: »

I believe the CHC framework does say that social worker input to the DST assessment is recommended but not obligatory. However, I have heard recently of a social worker attending a DST assessment who had to have the word "cognition" explained to them. So I am not sure if their input to the process would have been useful!

Ye gods and little fishes... Sorry monkeyspanner, I find this really shocking - this is supposed to be a "Professional" making decisions about those who are cognitively impaired? Urk! Can't think what else to say - other than to be thankful we're no longer dealing with Social Services over my parents.

You have been very kind to share so much of your experiences here. I believe the more that we all share such experience the better we can influence what goes on.

Thank you again, and best wishes for as happy a Christmas as is possible.

ukmaggie45

Beryltheperil wrote: »

Didnt dare say too much last night but after 3 assessments, 2 panels and 2 appeals WE HAVE WON!!!!!!

Well done That Girl! I'm so glad to hear you won your case.

Hope you now can have a Very Happy Christmas.

:santa2:

Beryltheperil_2

Hi all

Thanks for your comments. It wasnt really all that quick we have been fighting this since April 08. I think the only reason the PCT caved in was because we were about to go to an IRP and the PCT would have been shown to have broken all of their own processes!

What did you mean Malid about POA. We are presently going through this at the moment. Would it be possible now to transfer our mum's assets to my brother and myself or would be accused of deprivation of assets?

Monkeyspanner, I had never thought about interest or costs and expenses. The LA have been funding our mother to the tune of £400 per week and we have been making a top-up of £200 per week.The bill with the LA was mounting but that will now be set aside as the PCT will sort it. Care Homes are very expensive around here. The interest will be on approx £8000 as we will have to pay back the AA we have been getting since July. What type of expenses did you claim and did they "kick up a fuss" or did they just pay up?

Monkeyspanner your knowledge is invaluable, I wish we had found this site sooner! I will pass it on to anyone I know it may help.

monkeyspanner

Hi Beryl
We asked for telephone, postage, photocopying, and travel expenses (based on civil service mileage rates) for attending reviews and panels. Didn't ask for anything for our time. They just accepted it but we had been collecting receipts as someoone had prompted us early on in the process.

I would avoid transferring assets especially if your mum is not capable of making her own financial decisions. I assume as you are just doing a POA it will be a Lasting POA and these have to be registered with the public guardian prior to use. Once registered there are pretty strict guidlines about keeping financial records. Rules for the old style EPA are slightly different and they don't need to be registered until the donors mental capability is in question.

Remember if your mum is denied CHC funding at a review the PCT are not allowed to withdraw funding until the review appeal process is exhausted.