My husband is currently in a residential care home. He has been there for about two years. He has been invited to view a flat in a sheltered housing complex on Tuesday. The flat is closer to where I live, and provides him with the opportunity for greater independence.
However, he is worried about some of the practical aspects of a possible move. For example, the accommodation costs about 1500 a month and the providers request a month’s rent as a deposit. My husband has no savings and is worried how he will afford this. The accommodation is also unfurnished, and again, my husband has no savings (neither do I) and he is worried how he will purchase a bed, and basic furnishings.
I have assured him that his social worker and the local authority will sort all this out. However, I have not managed to speak to anyone yet to confirm this. I can also remember a conversation some months ago in which his social worker told me that furnishing might have to come from Freecycle or other avenues, so I am not sure how imaginative we will have to be with respect to the practicalities of a move.
Does anyone know how moves like this are facilitated when the individual has no assets or savings?. My husband receives PIP and has just started to draw his state pension. The local authority pay a large proportion of his care fees at the moment.
Don’t let him enter into any agreement without clarity on this, as it will involve making claims for benefits. The social worker should help, but you need them to commit to that. I suggest no viewing without that commitment
2 Likes
Thank you Charles,
I have already sent off a detailed e-mail to his social worker, and hopefully she will respond in time, to clarify the situation.
1 Like
Try not to get sucked into taking it all on.
2 Likes
My son was moved out of residential care into supported living against my wishes when I was recovering from major cancer surgery, too ill to find any alternative. I was assured that it would be arranged so there would be no extra work for me. Less than 4 weeks later the council and provider fell out and everything was dumped on me. 20 years later it’s still a nightmare. I would suggest sending a letter Recorded Delivery saying that you CANNOT be involved in any aspect of this move or how it is managed. They need to refer him to the Client Affairs Team. Do you have a joint account? Talk to our CUK Helpline asap.
2 Likes
Thank you for sharing this BB. It is strange how these things tend to arise when we are not in the best position ourselves. I cannot accompany my husband on the visit because my youngest son has an appointment at an eating disorder clinic on the same day. I have written out a list of questions that my husband can ask the providers or hand over to the providers.
We do not have a joint account, thankfully.
3 Likes
Just remembered something from my distant past. DWP can give a Discretionary Housing Grant for people moving into a new home. Ask Google for details. It’s all very well to tell people to look here and there for things he needs but how is he supposed to collect them?!
Surely it would be better if he moved into a residential home nearer you?
Do you think the main reason for the suggestion is to reduce their budget?
Do you have Power of Attorney?
If so I suggest you make a Subject Access Request to the council asking for copies of everything they have on file about him for the last 2 years. You can do this online via the council’s website.They must comply within 28 days.