Any advise appreciated. Social services financial assessment

[Claire W]

I am due to have a financial assessment from social services to see if I need to pay towards the support I am getting from my support worker now the privately funded company who were providing the funds have pulled out and it’s been passed on to social services.

I have very few savings and not much money coming in. Does anyone know what a financial assessment conducted by social services entails please? Does anyone know whether they can gain access to my bank accounts or more importantly, my husbands? I have nothing to hide but I do not like the idea of them looking through my bank account

 

[weepweeps]

No idea Claire. But I wouldn’t like it either.

 

[Posyrose]

@Lady Kelly is usually very knowledgeable about this kind of thing. I hope she or someone else will be able to help.

 

[Claire W]

Thank you @weepweeps and @Posyrose I’ve tried to Google it but I’m not getting anywhere

 

[Lady Kelly]

@Lady Kelly is usually very knowledgeable about this kind of thing. I hope she or someone else will be able to help.

Sadly I know nothing about this. Welfare benefits and debt is the areas I have worked in.
They won't be able to just access your bank account without your permission but I would imagine they are likely to ask for bank statements for any open bank or savings accounts you have regardless of whether there are any funds in there

 

[LucyP]

Sorry you’re going through that. I’m not an expert either but wonder if this page is helpful at all? Social care needs assessment | Disability charity Scope UK

 

[LucyP]

Financial assessment | Disability charity Scope UK

 

[Claire W]

Thank you @Lady Kelly and @LucyP Ive found your advise and link helpful

 

[Lady Kelly]

Thank you @Lady Kelly and @LucyP Ive found your advise and link helpful

What I would say is that, usually when asking for bank statements, it's to check how much you have in savings and not judging what you are spending your money on

 

[Claire W]

Just a little update that someone from the council phoned me yesterday. He asked some questions about my income and outgoings and what we pay a month for various bills. He said he will write to me with the outcome once he’s done his evaluation x

 

[LucyP]

Well done for doing that- fingers crossed you hear soon and it’s helpful.

 

[teddymouse]

Claire, a good place to go for help and advice is CAB. I have found them very helpful in the past.x

 

[Claire W]

Thank you Just another update that I’ve received a letter today and I’ve passed the financial assessment meaning I do not have to contribute towards the care I receive from my support worker although they said they may ask to look at my bank statements dating back two years at some point in the future, but I have nothing to hide and that’s something to worry about when and if it happens x

 

[LucyP]

Well done Claire, that’s great news.

 

[SpiritoftheForest]

Hello,
Sorry I've only just seen this, but I used to get regular financial assessments to see how much I should pay towards care, as you've found out someone would ask questions about bills, plus if I had to do more of certain things (washing clothes for example) which would increase bills etc etc.
Also had to show proof of incomings.
I don't recall them ever asking to see bank statements, but they might have done.
Generally found the assessors to be lovely people.

 

[eileen]

I have financial assessments from social services,as I have support workers.for 7 hours aweek.
My situation is I get some monies from the government, so they have a record of my money situation.
I'm glad you got it all sorted Claire.

 

[Claire W]

Thank you @LucyP @SpiritoftheForest and @eileen I get around 5 hours of support from my support worker although this may increase slightly. I will get money to pay her directly but I’m not sure how it all works. I have an advisor phoning me today x