Occupational therapist visit

[Doggymama]

So impressed with our OT, she is arranging, grab rails in bathroom, hand rail for other side of stairs, perching stool, bath bench, and cutlery, offered my husband a riser/recliner chair but he decided to wait as he loves his sofa! She also mentioned the DFG for an extension, they are going to ring next week for an informal eligibility check, does anyone know what is the cut off income level to qualify if you have no savings? Thanks so much xx

[matthew55]

Well done you 👍😊😄❤️xx

[Ellie]

So impressed with our OT

A good OT is worth their weight in gold!!

If your husband is happy in his sofa, great, and he knows he can get an RR armchair should the need arise.

I don't know about DFG means testing, it's probably explained on your Council's website but I'm sure there are experts in the process on here who'll answer you soon 👍👍😘

[Tabbycat]

Doggymama glad to hear good things about your OT.
Where I live eligibility for DFG are based on savings only not income. As Ellie says best to check on your local council website as they may vary from place to place.

[Stubot]

So impressed with our OT, she is arranging, grab rails in bathroom, hand rail for other side of stairs, perching stool, bath bench, and cutlery, offered my husband a riser/recliner chair but he decided to wait as he loves his sofa! She also mentioned the DFG for an extension, they are going to ring next week for an informal eligibility check, does anyone know what is the cut off income level to qualify if you have no savings? Thanks so much xx

Doggymama - Our OT is brilliant too. Glad you’ve had a good experience with yours. I believe the lower capital limit - i.e the level of savings, investments, salary etc below which you will not have to pay anything for your care - is currently £14250. The upper capital limit is £23,250. Anything above this and you will not qualify for financial support.

[Doggymama]

Thank you for your replies, she did say that we would hear during the check what we would need to do to qualify. I would need to ask for a pay cut lol x

[Stubot]

Thank you for your replies, she did say that we would hear during the check what we would need to do to qualify. I would need to ask for a pay cut lol x

Doggymama - should have added the financial assessment in my case was based on my wife only and not me. I believe this to be standard practice.

[Tabbycat]

Stubot, Doggymama

In the area I live (Norfolk) the financial criteria for DFG and Care packages are assessed differently.
For DFG it is based on savings above £23,250 and both adults (in the household) savings are taken into account.
For packages of care only the savings of the person receiving care are considered and the threshold is lower (around £10,000 I think).

[Doggymama]

Sorry I don't know how to do the tag thing, but Tabbycat do you know what income level you need to be below in order to qualify for the DFG? Thanks so much, I realise this may differ between councils but will hopefully give me some idea if we are in with a chance of qualifying, otherwise I will have to add to our mortgage, luckily it's nearly paid off but was so looking forward to not having a mortgage after all these years!
xx

[Stubot]

Stubot, Doggymama

In the area I live (Norfolk) the financial criteria for DFG and Care packages are assessed differently.
For DFG it is based on savings above £23,250 and both adults (in the household) savings are taken into account.
For packages of care only the savings of the person receiving care are considered and the threshold is lower (around £10,000 I think).

Ah yes. Sorry. You’re right Tabbycat - same here. We didn’t qualify for DFG so had to fund our build and modification costs ourselves. Still benefitted from VAT exemption for some of that.

[Piglet]

I have been recently told by our local hospice that my husband can have carers and this will be paid for by CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group).We don’t need carers at present (poss will do in the near future) but was not aware of that. My husband was referred to our local hospice for possible day care but they are not offering this now due to covid. So we don’t have input from them just a phone call now and then
Is anyone else aware of this.

[Tabbycat]

Piglet that would be funding through NHS Continuing Health Care (CHC) which is awarded for complex health needs, there are 12 categories that need to be considered.
For more details see:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/money-work-and-benefits/nhs-continuing-healthcare/

It's not usually given if someone needs help with, for example, washing & dressing or transferring from bed to chair. It will be for more intense nursing care needs such as management of airways such as NIV and nutrition such as a PEG.

[Piglet]

Tabbycat I thought that. My husband is in his 5th year with MND he is just about mobile. Used NIV at night. Some swallowing difficulties. Requires lifting on transfers. Recently got hospital bed. So I’m confused with what the Co-ordinator meant when she said care would be funded as I know he wouldn’t qualify for CHC. As his needs though a concern are not complex as yet. Thanks for your reply.x

[LindaB]

Piglet it's worth having the CHC checklist completed and this should trigger the full CHC assessment. People living with a diagnosis of MND do often meet the eligibility for fully funded NHS Continuing Healthcare.👍🏻😉

[Tabbycat]

Doggymama No I don't know what income level you need to be below to qualify, sorry.

Stubot Yes same here, we don't qualify for DFG either so will have to self fund. I know a good accountant so they will assist with the VAT exemption bit. I will be investing my (ill-health retirement) pension lump sum into our alterations!