Member Article

New deadline for claiming care home fees

A regional lawyer is reminding families they have may have a right to claim care homes fees paid – but that any claim must be made before the Government’s deadline.

Nicola Dalzell of Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors says there was plenty of publicity in Autumn last year around the deadline for claims dating back to 2004. However many people may not be aware that there is now an annual deadline set. This means that claims for care fees between 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 must be submitted before the end of March, 2013.

People who paid for care home fees during that time may be entitled to reclaim those fees from the NHS if the primary reason for care was physical or mental health needs.

Nicola commented: “In many cases, people do not know that there is an opportunity to claim now for care dating back to April 2011. Even if the person the claim relates to is no longer alive, the family could be entitled to reclaim the money spent on the care home fees. The important thing is to submit any claim before the end of March.”

Nicola believes many people are funding their own care when they might be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare. She says: “If a person’s primary need for care is because of nursing or health care needs, then they should be assessed to find out if they are eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare. Also, if someone has been assessed and refused, they have the right to appeal and they or their family should seek expert help.”

Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors is the Tees Valley’s largest full service law firm. The firm has offices in Stockton on Tees, Hartlepool, Wynyard Park and Barnard Castle. For further advice, contact Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors on 0800 052 6824.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Hignett, i2i Business Solutions .