How Much Money Is Allowed For ;spends' When In Care Home

[margobo]

A young man I know with an enduring mental health condition has to go in a care home due to deteriotating health. He is concerned about how much of his benefits he will be allowed to keep for personal spending.

[EDDIE51]

Not certain but a few years back it was £14 a week I think. That was in the care home I worked in, where 3 meals a day plus tea and biscuits were provided as part of the package. So it really was just pocket money.

[ubasses]

£24.90

[EDDIE51]

^^ Yes I think it was £24 not £14 'memory failure.'

[margobo]

I thought this was the case. Just what is the £24 supposed to buy? The person in question is a heavy smoker and with his mental health condition he would find it very hard to give it up as it helps to calm his nerves.

[ubasses]

All personal expenditure, toiletries, hairdressing, clothes and, yes, his cigarettes.

[ladyalex]

The care home should clearly tell him exactly what is provided by them.
Anything else he has to pay for himself.
(They certainly won't provide cigarettes.)

[woofgang]

Oh dear. So far as i am aware, for safety reasons his smoking is likely to be pretty tightly controlled in res care anyway...

[ubasses]

Smoking cannot be banned in a Care Home, but as Woofgang said it is stricltly controlled as it must not affect other residents or staff. A designated area is usually set aside. The smoker has to be assessed as to the safety of allowing them cigarettes and matches/lighter.
Where my Mum is they have one smoker, all his cigarettes are held in the office (otherwise he would be lighting up anywhere) and he has to have a staff member with him. This usually results in him smoking in the garden.

[woofgang]

Is the care home somewhere that has expertise in dealing with people with mental health issues?

[margobo]

Yes it specialises in mental health and we know he will have to go outside to smoke. I know its not a healthy past time but most people with mental health conditons smoke as it helps them to cope.

[woofgang]

I wouldn't dream of commenting on whether he should smoke or not....just pointing out that if his health problems are bad enough to need res. care then he may not be physically able enough to do what he likes when he likes and if he wants a ciggy, he may need to wait until someone can help him. Its good that he is going somewhere where his problems are likely to be understood and treated sympathetically. So far as the money goes though, rules is rules.....

[margobo]

As I stated this person's health is a mental condition. He has now been told that he should he able to keep his Severe Disability Premium. Good luck to his move into care and hope he can fit in.