CareAware: Sixty thousand Fees REFUND

£60,000 Fees REFUND

 CareAware’s appointed Care Fee Funding Specialists, Care Asset Management have reported back to us that they have successfully obtained a refund of over £60,000 in respect of the overpayment of home care fees for a client. 
 
Mrs R from Essex was referred to Care Asset Management’s Regional Manager, Paul Hardingham for advice on funding her mother’s care fees, unaware at that time that a substantial refund was due to her.
 
Mr Hardingham identified that in an original financial assessment by Essex County Council, the value of two investment bonds were incorrectly included as assets in the means test assessment with the result that her care fee contribution had been excessively assessed over a number of years.
 
The Charging for Residential Accommodation Guidelines, more commonly known as CRAG, sets out the basis under which local authorities must apply the means testing system. Under these guidelines investment bonds are excluded from the assessment process. This form of investment is particularly popular amongst older people, but many local authorities continue to incorrectly include them in the assessment of an individual’s assets.
 
As a direct result of our own work in this area, a number of CareAware Helpline callers have also enjoyed success in having their position reviewed.
 
Mrs H of Lowestoft explained how she received a £7,000 refund from her investment bond. Likewise, Mrs E from Crawley obtained a refund of £37,000 after an 18 month battle.
 
As with all issues of this type, each individual situation is different and a full examination of all factors needs to be undertaken before determining the correct position.
 
To discuss your own position in more detail either with ourselves or with a Care Asset Management Later Life Accredited Care Fee Funding Specialist simply contact our HELPLINE on 0161 707 1107
 
PO Box 8, Manchester M30 9NY,

enquiries@careaware.co.uk