Hi
My mother just got a pension credit review call and now I am struggling to navigate what to do so her merger savings don’t impact her benefits.
She has just been diagnosed with early onset dementia but is rapidly becoming confused, she is 97 yrs old. The savings provide her with a small cushion for the battles that are going to come up with dementia. This is a nightmare, it could not have come at a worse time. Add to that I have dyscalculia and the maths involved is a joy.
You are allowed 3 weeks to reply with the evidence of any savings and if you are over the threshold which lets face it isn’t very high, you are allowed to offset the money by spending on person health etc. The problem is she may soon need this extra money for nursing care, she may go into a home. I am already late replying because I’m so frightened of getting this wrong.
If we attempt to spend a lot of money buying goods to fit the threshold the impact on her mental health could almost be life threatening. She already cant sleep at the mere mention of hard earned savings having to be reduced.
I can’t bring myself to call the agent to talk about it so I’m thinking of emailing and explaining my dilemma, but that sets the hair running. On my part its leading to a kind of paralysis.
Should I be looking for a private financial advisor who understands benefits to try to navigate this? I appreciate Im not giving an amount but if say its just a few thousand. I just feel I need to try to protect that money for her.
I wouldnt mind but we all know wealthy people who find tax loopholes so they don’t have concern themselves with the rules and the it is the poor and elderly being penalised for the short fall in the governments money.
Dare I say we might not be in the mess if HRMC would just be willing to collect the VAT from large companies that they charge us and owe the Government. Let alone the ACTUAL tax they owe.
I can’t believe a so called socialist government is behaving like the far right! Why aren’t they chasing the real money, the traceable money. Sorry I went off on a tangent and thats not what the post is about.
Thank you for any advice you can give or experience you can share.
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Are you mum’s DWP Appointee?
Is mum receiving Attendance Allowance?
If so, mum is now exempt from Council Tax.
If not, claim as soon as possible. There may be a local organisation who can help?
My advice would be to use all these benefits to help mum as much as possible in her own home.
Does she own or rent her home? Do you live with mum?
If mum uses all her money (until below £23,000) to stay home, that isn’t a problem. Things like extra carers, aids, adaptations are permitted.
Ask someone to help you work out how long mum’s money will last if she uses up a bit every week, when she has claimed Attendance Allowance and Council Tax exemption. It might be longer than you think.
After mum’s diagnosis,
Hi That it so very kind of you. I didn’t know that about attendance allowance. I didnt know she was allowed to have £23,000 no one told me that. Can I just ask where you got the £23,000 from? I was told she needed under £14,000 to get carers and for pension credit they counted every £1,000 you were over £10,000. She lives at home and has carers paid for by social services, her council tax is paid but she doesnt claim attendance allowance and I am an unpaid carer.
@Hoops2021 there are two different issues here. The DWP is concerned regarding any money over the £10,000. The £23,000 figure is only about social care, and not really relevant to your query at the moment. You need to respond to the DWP as they’ve been known to stop payments if they get no answer from a review. If you’re the appointee, that’s a problem you can do without. If you’re not, then you can contact them to become an appointee, which would give you time to complete the review but you must answer honestly no matter what the situation. Don’t try to hide the money as they can ask for bank statements and will question everything.
This is not to frighten you, but to make it clear that worrying won’t help. You have to get in touch. Urgently.
If you Google “Charging for Care” and look at the .gov pages, there is lots of information. Carers UK have a brilliant helpline which made me £50 a week better off when I really needed it, so I can personally vouch for them. Understandably, they are very busy, but can go through all mum’s details, and yours, to give a detailed reply. My top tip is to never trust a social worker giving opinions on money. I have a degree in Business Studies, so happy looking at rules and regulations. I reclaimed £8,000 for mum when the wrong rules had been applied.
This would be a good time to bring together all mum’s financial details into one place, if she will let you?
I used to have regular Social Services assessments for mum and my brain damaged son. I like ring binders, Mylar dividers and punched pockets. One section each for bank statements, gas, electric, water etc. Then when a financial assessment is imminent I print off a copy of the last bank statement. Assessors love this, then they can take it away with them rather than write a lot. It also makes sorting out an estate, probate etc. very simple.
Everything about Social care is like Snakes and Ladders.
As Charles said, you have to be totally honest, or you will end up in deep trouble.
However if you claim Attendance Allowance for mum asap, this will give her additional premiums when DWP do their Pension Credit calculations.
Different areas seem to have different advice services. Help the Aged, Citizens Advice both might help or point you in the right direction.
You don’t need to try and hide money for future residential care needs, because once mum’s savings go below a certain level they will be paid for by Social Services.
You cannot be asked to contribute to mum’s residential care, if she needs it.
Have you had a Carers Assessment?
You could ask for help to manage mum’s money as you have discalculia. I know Hampshire, where I live, have a Client Affairs Unit, to help in these circumstances.
Hi Thank you so much. I called today to find out my case worker is on holiday until October. Luckily the letter sent out had the wrong name on it so I have asked for a new letter and an extension so they will get back to me. I have to say I rarely, rarely cry but the pressure this morning well this isnt the only person I care for and there are more issues there but the overwhelm is….overwhelming.
Wow what a great outcome and thank you so much for the top tips, I will try.
Hi Thank you. A carers assessment sounds good I will try and find out, I will also take on your good advice.
Thats very helpful thank you so much. I am very sorry about your son and that you have to care for two people that must be very hard. Well done for staying strong and being so selfless, youre an inspiration.
In total I’ve supported 10 family members, at one stage 5 were all entitled to highest Attendance Allowance or Pip at the same time. Now just my son, who lives in a privately rented flat with carer support. We are off to a steam rally this weekend. M has partial brain damage, can’t read write or do any maths, but can look after and drive a 10 ton steam engine! His flat is immaculate, like a show home. Mine isn’t!