Care costs and deprivation of assets

[Cornishsky]

Hi

Does anyone know how far back Social Services go when looking at bank statements as part of a financial assessment re care costs? Dad is newly diagnosed with dementia and mum was going to give £5k towards my sisters wedding. DM’s now panicking that if dad did need care in the future this would count as deliberate deprivation of assets as it would reduce their assets to the level where SS would contribute to care. However at this stage there’s no need for care for either of them and it may stay like this for a significant period.

Is there a time period to the assessment Social Services does? Would a wedding contribution be something they’d count as deprivation of assets given the amount they are contributing is within HMRC allowed gifts.

Thanks

Some years I think, maybe 7

Its usually 7 years but a lump sum for a wedding is normal so not likely to be counted. And even if it was it would just mean less savings were allowed. The alzheimer's society can give good advice.

7 years is for inheritance tax gifts being deemed out of your estate it is not the time limit for capital deprivation people often mix these up

This may be helpful.

www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs40_deprivation_of_assets_in_social_care_fcs.pdf

There isn't a set time frame. It should be done on an individual basis and make sure your dad is assessed for NHS Continuing Healthcare
first.

Thanks for your comments and the information.

SolitudeIsHighlyOverrated I’d assumed NHS Continuing Healthcare doesn’t apply in Dementia cases. Can it sometimes be awarded for this or does a person need significant other health issues to qualify?

@CornishSky Usually there will be other health needs involved but the assessment should always be based on the needs of the person not their diagnosis/illness.

Thank you, that’s helpful to know!

It's more to do with how foreseeable future care needs were and abut an element of intent in avoiding potential future care costs.