Advice needed - means tested Care assistance

[rev-erend]

Hi All,

I need some advice.

My mother in law has had a stroke 2 weeks ago and is recovering but looks like she will need
some social care for a while but the hospital has said it will be means tested.

Now she live on her own (recent widow) in a one bed warden assisted flat and has some modest saving
plus some isa's.

Can anyone offer some quick financial advice on the amount for means testing and whether they can see
if recent transactions gift cash to say a daughter / grand daughter.

[stuartmmcfc]

Just gone through this for myself in the last 2 weeks,
As far as I remember it's around £23k of savings. Leicester need you to tick 3 of their boxes for type of care regardless.
Theyll make an award based on this (from part to full).
In this situation I wouldn't have thought any gifts would make any difference, there caertainly wasn't any questions about this on the form we filled in.
Incidentally, Social Service gave a 6 week emergency care to me while this was set up.
Your first step is to contact Socual Services. I found them very gelpful n my area.

[stuartmmcfc]

Sorry for all the spelling mistakes-I was in a rush

[Dolf Stoppard]

She may be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. This provides six weeks of free care to help people return / remain in their home.

For any other type of support the Council will carry out an assessment to determine her needs. The Council are then required to put the relevant support in place and there will be a financial assessment to determine how much she contributes. Assets between £14250 and £23250 will mean she makes a contribution, while if she has more than £23250 she will pay the full amount until her assets reduce to below £23250.

I'm not sure what you mean by the final point, but if you're asking will the Council notice if she gives away some of her assets as gifts then the answer is 'yes' (or they should). It's called deprivation of assets if done to avoid care bills and is illegal.

[rev-erend]

Thanks guys.

[Prizam]

Means tested care makes me sick!

Some one who has been responsible and lived within their means (Wealthy or not) is now getting screwed over to pay for care that a benefit sponge gets for free.

Their really is little incentive for "doing well" in life

[Kenty]

Try to get her back home and use carer visits and then claim attendance allowance, it is too late if she goes into a home but if she is receiving it before she does then you keep it.

[rev-erend]

Thanks all.