OPG order cessation of family fuel payments to visit loved one with dementia

[Calla]

Hi, I hope everyone is well,
I’m new here and just wondered if anyone has any kind suggestions or signposts.
Our much loved one lives with Alzheimer’s and their needs are increasing in complexity. They are in hospital after being sectioned (past 5 months). This is some distance away. Their past wishes were always to give money towards fuel expenses to family, to enable visits to them.
No LPA was made by them: deputyship is in place.
Recently, OPG have communnicated that the fuel payments made by the deputy to family for visits must cease. I have contested this, stating that it was in line with our loved one’s wishes, is in our loved one’s best interests to have this support; they have sufficient estate etc. - OPG still said no.
Struggling to be able to visit our loved one in the light of the current costs/rising prices.
I asked for OPG complaints procedure and am in the process of writing to them again as don’t feel this decision is in our loved one’s best interests.. Doctor of loved one has kindly written a supporting letter.
It all feels so uphill.
Vdry appreciative of the support of Alzheimers’ Society and Admiral Nurses.

-Also in the process of preparing to attend an appeal re: withdrawal of our loved one’s CHC funding eight months ago.
-so many acronyms!
Thank you for reading.

 

[Grannie G]

Welcome @Calla

I'm sorry you feel financial support is being withheld. I'm sorry I can't offer any constructive advice but hope you will manage to get something sorted.

 

[Veritas]

Hi, I hope everyone is well,
I’m new here and just wondered if anyone has any kind suggestions or signposts.
Our much loved one lives with Alzheimer’s and their needs are increasing in complexity. They are in hospital after being sectioned (past 5 months). This is some distance away. Their past wishes were always to give money towards fuel expenses to family, to enable visits to them.
No LPA was made by them: deputyship is in place.
Recently, OPG have communnicated that the fuel payments made by the deputy to family for visits must cease. I have contested this, stating that it was in line with our loved one’s wishes, is in our loved one’s best interests to have this support; they have sufficient estate etc. - OPG still said no.
Struggling to be able to visit our loved one in the light of the current costs/rising prices.
I asked for OPG complaints procedure and am in the process of writing to them again as don’t feel this decision is in our loved one’s best interests.. Doctor of loved one has kindly written a supporting letter.
It all feels so uphill.
Vdry appreciative of the support of Alzheimers’ Society and Admiral Nurses.

-Also in the process of preparing to attend an appeal re: withdrawal of our loved one’s CHC funding eight months ago.
-so many acronyms!
Thank you for reading.

How very unkind - to put it no worse - I do hope you can get this unimaginative decision reversed through using the Complaints Procedure. Are you able to show eg via Bank Statements that your loved one did make these payments before? That might help. I can well understand that you could do without this stress. If the OPG proves obstinate, I might be inclined to involve the local MP and see if that helps to unlock it. Another point that occurs to me is that if your loved one has a social worker they might be able to back you up on the question of 'best interests'.

On the CHC issue, if your loved one has been in hospital under section for five months, it suggests a level of need beforehand that probably should have kept the CHC funding in place. Certainly, you ought to have good grounds for CHC funding once your loved one is ready for discharge from hospital. Being admitted under section for five months is a long time and suggests a severity of your loved one's condition that will require ongoing specialist support.

How far you pursue the retrospective claim - it sounds like you are talking about three months' costs? - depends on your energy levels and whether you can show that the process which resulted in withdrawal of the funding was not done properly - eg involved the right people - ie were the family involved and asked for their views? They are meant to be.

 

[canary]

Recently, OPG have communnicated that the fuel payments made by the deputy to family for visits must cease.

How strange. When I was mums deputy I was told that I could claim mileage for visiting her. This was a few years ago, though and perhaps the rules have changed. I note that you also say that you were putting in for fuel for other family members, so perhaps they consider the amount was excessive.

PS - Im assuming that having been sectioned for 5 months, she is on a section 3. This means that when she is discharged she will go to a nursing home on 117funding, which is very similar to CHC funding.

 

[SAP]

From what you say, I’m thinking your loved one is now on 117 aftercare and there for not paying for their care . This may be the reason the CHC has stopped. You may still need to pay a top up with 117 if the home is more expensive than the maximum the LA will pay out.
If your loved ones care is being paid for,I have no idea why the OPG have made this decision as they will no longer need funds to pay for care unless there is a top up fee.

 

[Firecatcher]

I’m absolutely aghast at the decision by the OPG. I’m in a position where I’m struggling to pay the petrol costs incurred whilst travelling to visit my Dad and then taking him to see my Mum. She was in hospital for five months and is now in a nursing home. My Dad has given me money for petrol on one occasion but the rest of the time I’ve either worked overtime or gone without essentials to pay for the costs. I’m sure a huge fuss would be made if carers stopped providing support but basically the government can’t have it both ways . The economic costs if caring are seldom talked about but are a huge burden.

 

[nitram]

You may still need to pay a top up with 117 if the home is more expensive than the maximum the LA will pay out.

S117 is one of the three situations where optional first party top up is allowed.

 

[Jaded'n'faded]

I'd also suggest writing to your loved one's MP. The reasons for contesting this decision would be: 1) the person always gave you petrol money in the past, 2) it would not be in their best interests if visits had to stop because of this and 3) if the person definitely has enough funds to pay for future care should they need to.

If the latter is true, the OPG's decision seems ludicrous.

 

[Jessbow]

Can you give us some idea of what you are spending, and how often?

On the face of it it does seem rough that its been stopped, but was it a realisitc expectation ?

Whilst £30 a week for a 100 mile round trip might be okay, the same trip 7days a week might not

 

[Calla]

Welcome @Calla

I'm sorry you feel financial support is being withheld. I'm sorry I can't offer any constructive advice but hope you will manage to get something sorted.

Thank you very much

 

[Calla]

How very unkind - to put it no worse - I do hope you can get this unimaginative decision reversed through using the Complaints Procedure. Are you able to show eg via Bank Statements that your loved one did make these payments before? That might help. I can well understand that you could do without this stress. If the OPG proves obstinate, I might be inclined to involve the local MP and see if that helps to unlock it. Another point that occurs to me is that if your loved one has a social worker they might be able to back you up on the question of 'best interests'.

On the CHC issue, if your loved one has been in hospital under section for five months, it suggests a level of need beforehand that probably should have kept the CHC funding in place. Certainly, you ought to have good grounds for CHC funding once your loved one is ready for discharge from hospital. Being admitted under section for five months is a long time and suggests a severity of your loved one's condition that will require ongoing specialist support.

How far you pursue the retrospective claim - it sounds like you are talking about three months' costs? - depends on your energy levels and whether you can show that the process which resulted in withdrawal of the funding was not done properly - eg involved the right people - ie were the family involved and asked for their views? They are meant to be.

Thank you very much it is not a question of pursuing any claim-only to have the decision of stopping fuel payments reversed. Two professionals are prepared to support if necessary and the GP has kindly written a letter in support..
had not realised but it has been more like 7 months. Think grief can change my perception of time.

 

[Calla]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. It is very much appreciated and I feel less alone in this.

 

[Calla]

Hello everyone and wishing you a gentle week.
Just to let you know that the opg replied to my complaint re: cessation of fuel payments 5 months ago -the complaint was not upheld. Sadly, it was even suggested that the fuel payment would be to benefit me and not our loved one.

 

[Jessbow]

Just out ofcuriosity, when sort of sums are we talking about?

 

[try again]

Thankgoodness I have poa!

Have just told sister to take money for trip up and overnight hotel out of mums cash float as we are going to look at care homes