Help, mum in hospital following amputation, need to know about the following

[Kimi]

Any and all advice welcome.
Mum is in hospital, she has had her leg amputated.
She lives in a council house, she lives on a state pension,
She will need to move from where she lives to nearer to me.
The hospital said we would get a care package as yet we have not.

So how does this effect mums pension? Her house (she is disputing rent arrears at the moment)?
I am at my wits end trying to sort this out.
Also my sister who is out of work but not claiming benefits has been staying with mum but is not on the lease now has no money, no job and no where to live once mum is moved...

I do not know where to start, any advice please.

Think you have to get yourself down to the CAB asap.

Your sister is going to have to sort herself out i think.
She should contact the Council Housing people to be put on a list - and to be emergency housed (not the right term but YKWIM) as soon as your mum can move.

I don't think her pension would be affected.
She will probably be entitled to more through Disability Allowance - but think that can depend on other things.

She will probably have to contact the Council Housing people near you as they will be i/c of any council housing in your area.
She may have a long wait though as her reason for moving - to be nearer one of her children - might not get her many points in the system

Good luck.

ask hospital to allocate you a care Manager ASAP, they will be able to advise you and put you in touch with all the relevant people.

Thank you.
I have been asking about a care package but no one seems to know what is what at the moment.

R.E moving - If your mum's doctor can provide a letter saying she needs to be closer to you for support nad care then the council may mover her quicker, plus is the place she is currently in is not suitable for her medical needs she may be movd on those grounds as well.

Keep pushing for the care package and if it doesn't materialise go to your hospitals PALS its for patients and thier families to get advice ect.

Like others said your sister is going to either have to start claiming benifits and move out that way or get a job but tbh if she is a grown woman she can look out for herself, you have enough on your plate at the moment without worrying about her as well.

I don't think it will effect pension but like others have said if she doesn't all ready she will get a high rate of dla (care and mobility) and if you are caring for her you can get carers allowence.

I hope your mums op went as well as can be as i read your posts about it before.

Can you talk to PALS at the hospital? Can you Google to see if there is a benefits advice clinic anywhere near you? (Your health visitor / GP practice would know)

Sorry to hear about your mum. You may also be able to get some help from Carers UK

Thank you all. xx

The care package that the hospital refer to is the services that will need to be set up before your Mum is discharged. You should be able to speak to her social worker and OT - they are usually the people who sort stuff out. It will probably be more complicated if everything has got to be set up " out of area" - not sure how housing works. but uf they are aware of the plans they shoudl be able to help or refer to services local to you.

I don't think pension will be a problem unless she is hospital for a long time - I think? it used to decrease but have no idea if that is still the case.
www.helptheaged.org.uk/en-gb/AdviceSupport/HealthAdvice/HealthServices/GoingIntoHospital/as_goinghos 1801062.htm
Have linked to help the aged site which has a free phone help line.

Unless the rules have changed since I looked into this for my Dad (a few years ago now, also an amputee) if she's getting state pension already she won't qualify for DLA. Just checked DWP website still seems to be the case. (unless she lucky & is 60-65)

Keep pushing for the care package stuff, they can't discharge her without it & the people involved can help get the wheels in motion (luckily my Dad had moved into a bungalow only weeks before his amuptation, but we got help with arranging grab rails, a ramp, shower seat etc to make life easier for him)

You should be able to claim lower rate AA - but be prepared to fight to get it, we had to for my Dad Details on AAhere

You will only get carers allowance if you earn less than £84/wk

I agree with the suggestion of getting a doctor's statement on the help/support she will need, it will help your AA claim (it helped us)& as suggested will probably help the housing move too.

As others have said, your sister needs to sort her own problems out, you have enough on your plate.

best wishes

Agree mainly with the others. Is your sister likely or able to take on the role as your mother's carer?

I work in Housing - where I work we have a Specialist Housing Needs Officer. She sees people who are disabled and need a propert with adaptations. They are referred to her following assessment of their needs by an Occupational Therapist. So - for example - if your mum has had a leg amputated she will need ground floor accommodation or a stair lift at the very least. If she will be permanently wheelchair bound she may need a property with wider than usual doors or a level entry shower. Every case is looked at individually. Contact your local Councils 'Housing Needs' or 'Housing Options' team.

Good Luck!

Thank you all, Mum is very depressed today, I managed to speak to SS but it is a very slow process

Just as another suggestion - it may be worth contacting Age Concern - they will be able to help with applying for attendance allowance - and will know of other benefit entititlement and will also know about housing near you (especially if your mum needs sheltered/adapted housing) - and will help you to apply. They will probably be able to give you more time and support than SS

Hope it all works out