In March 2016 my mum went into a council run (Lancashire) dementia care home. It's very good - we are all happy with it. She was self funding and we were told when she goes below the 23K threshold to get in touch and they would set in motion the process for sharing contributions.
*In February this year I rang to say she was under 23k and they said they'd organise a social worker, etc
* I rang again in March, in April, in May.. each time being promised action but hearing nothing
*She was allocated a social worker in June but the woman left after a week and nobody replaced her so we were back to square one
*I rang in July to say she was soon below the 14K threshold for not paying ANYTHING and they apologised (again) and said they would get onto it
*I rang in August and was promised "urgent action"
*In September I rang and said she now has only 11K - if you don't sort something soon and she lives a few more months, she will have NO money left! They apologised again, said there was a delay with the "duty team" (although it shouldn't have been 7 months) but because she is already in a care home, she is deemed "safe" and so is less of a priority. They've assured me that at some point, I will get refunded. I also said if she dies tomorrow - will you refund the money and they said yes, from your first call in February.
I am very frustrated and annoyed that we are paying now when she is below the 14K threshold and it's been suggested I simply cancel the direct debit, and inform them by post with her up to date bank statement and a reminder of all my phone calls. That's rather drastic - is there normally such a delay? What would happen if I do this? Any other suggestions as to how to hurry things up?
Thanks!
*In February this year I rang to say she was under 23k and they said they'd organise a social worker, etc
* I rang again in March, in April, in May.. each time being promised action but hearing nothing
*She was allocated a social worker in June but the woman left after a week and nobody replaced her so we were back to square one
*I rang in July to say she was soon below the 14K threshold for not paying ANYTHING and they apologised (again) and said they would get onto it
*I rang in August and was promised "urgent action"
*In September I rang and said she now has only 11K - if you don't sort something soon and she lives a few more months, she will have NO money left! They apologised again, said there was a delay with the "duty team" (although it shouldn't have been 7 months) but because she is already in a care home, she is deemed "safe" and so is less of a priority. They've assured me that at some point, I will get refunded. I also said if she dies tomorrow - will you refund the money and they said yes, from your first call in February.
I am very frustrated and annoyed that we are paying now when she is below the 14K threshold and it's been suggested I simply cancel the direct debit, and inform them by post with her up to date bank statement and a reminder of all my phone calls. That's rather drastic - is there normally such a delay? What would happen if I do this? Any other suggestions as to how to hurry things up?
Thanks!