Dad, savings and benefits

[Orangesandlemons77]

My dad is late 70s, with dementia and living in sheltered housing in Scotland. I've recently found out that he has managed to save over £30,000. I thought he was paying for carers coming in but turns out they are council funded.

He's getting attendance allowance, and other benefits such as pension credit and his rent paid. Sone of these are not means tested like the AA but online it says pension credit is affected by savings.

I don't have PoA, my sibling does. Should they ring someone and tell them? Will dad be in trouble? Argh. It could have been spent on more care for him.

@Orangesandlemons77 yes you do need to report it but also start spending it on getting him more care and if possible improving his quality of life.

I don't know what the savings threshold is for Scotland but his local council will know and advise you..

I'm surprised the council are funding carers without doing a financial assessment, how can this have happened?

Pension Credit will be reduced when they know he has savings of this level.

It might be because it’s Scotland where personal care is not means tested like in England

You should get some care in place privately using some of his 30k. The council carers will be withdrawn I'd imagine. It's best to be up front about this as he could get done for fraud I think if you don't declare it, which would be unnecessarily distressing at his time of life.
His AA will remain regardless, as you say it's not means tested.

Have a look at Age Scotland which explains it

@User364837

I'm in Scotland too so I don't know why I even said that!! Crossed wires as I'm currently dealing with a care home financial assessment.

Personal care in Scotland is not means tested. You do not need to declare this.

www.carersuk.org/scotland/help-and-advice/practical-support/arranging-care-and-support-for-someone/free-personal-care/

Current limit in Scotland is £32750 for funded residential care. However, as you know, personal care is not means tested. So washing, dressing, meal prep, continues if he needs it.
Pension Credit will be reduced with over £10k savings. So that’s where it needs to be reported (DWP)
Housing Benefit may also be affected if he gets that.
His Care Manager may help.

It's the savings that need to be declared to the DWP

Sorry. I meant in respect of the council paying for carers. This will not be withdrawn because of the savings as was incorrectly suggested above.

Thanks for the replies. He's about to have some respite care which is 2K per week so this will soon use it up, I will pass on the message about savings to family who have the PoA.

he's awaiting a care assessment and then hopefully the plan is for more permanent residential care.

Care funded by the council I mean in the long run.