I need some advice. Mum’s personal budget with the council has not increased for the past 3 years - her care needs have now increased and needs to have 2 carers for each call because of a hoist. We have been using direct payments and source our own care agency . Mum was discharged from hospital about 3 weeks ago without 2 carers being put in place - the council picked it up too late and by the time they did she was home. We had to put 2 carers in place with our care agency - but council wont pay for the 2nd carer as they said it was too expensive and mum is not entitled to any more funding from council as she already get the max amount. We will now face a bill of £2000 next week from the care agency - I have no idea how we will pay it. The council have told us mum canot pay it as her fininancial circumstances have already been assessed by the council. She has under the £14,000 threshold. Is there an appeal process with the council at all? To leave the agency we have to give 28 days notice in order for the council to find commissioned care for mum. Help. I dont work and just receive the carers allowance.
Contact the helpline on Monday. My understanding of the law may be out of date but I don’t think they can set a maximum amount for home based care. Best to use the email for this one: advice@carersuk.org
Unsafe discharge from hospital!
Free 6 weeks care should have been arranged by the hospital! Make a formal complaint to them.
Social Services can’t hide behind “by the time they picked it up” they should have acted immediately. Neither can they say it’s too expensive or set a limit!
Make a formal written complaint via the council website. Have they now done a new Needs Assessment for mum and Carers Assessment for mum both complaints must be in writing so that if necessary you can then escalate to the Ombedsman.
Oh right - did not know about aby of this … Thank yo so much.
ok will contact the helpline on monday.
When did you last have a Carers Assessment, looking at the support you need for your caring role, and did the hospital or Social Services do a Needs Assessment before discharge?
Is mum claiming any disability benefits?
If she is mentally frail, she might be exempt from Council Tax.
On Carers UK’s main website, you should find more information about hospital discharge procedures.
Age UK have more information too.
@susan_180412 you will get a more detailed and personalised response if you email the helpline. You could copy and paste from this thread and add any further info to it.
The helpline are brilliant, they made me £50 a week better off, a few years ago, because they knew more than DWP did about their own rules so I’m always happy to sing their praises.
However, they are very busy and may take a few days to get back to you.
If Social Services say mum needs more care than they can provide, are you aware of NHS Continuing Healthcare? Free care provided by the NHS for those with very high care needs. A bit of a postcode lottery I’m afraid.
The hospital should have arranged an initial assessment, and Social Services should do one, or GP can arrange it.
@susan_180412 I know the council will leave it to late if they can. Who from the council did you speak to? Most the maximum a council can set is £100 for contributions for care. Did you get a finance form from them? Has a social worker been involved?
By the sounds of it who ever has set this up has jumped the gun and most likely told you not to worry about the money until later which is wrong, many people are going through this. If there is a need for hoist then you need two people and not one. May be have a word with your local councillor.
Assessed needs must be met. Have they done a new assessment?