I contacted the HSE when I received the bill and they told me that the T&C’s had changed since we entered fair deal 4 years ago. We signed up as since the property was my only home for 50 plus years & no other property I could defer as connected person. HSE has refused so now I am facing a bill as the will has funds going to siblings as I was to inherit the house they were to be financially catered for. We were never told that conditions had changed. I helped to care for elderly ill parents to the detriment of my career ‘ loss of earnings etc. Now I face taking on loans to cover fair deal loan repayments & to honour what was in the will for siblings at a late stage in life. HSE told me to take my time but I keep getting letters “reminding” me to pay the loan back. This is putting a huge financial pressure on me and now I am worried that probate will add further delays and result in further penalties if I go over the 12 months. As the plan was to defer and not sell the property I am stressed out now with the large financial bill. We would never have entered this deal had we known that the Connected Person option was not real option. Everyone is in Ireland but do I have to pay them what was in the will now that the revenue are taking those funds?Once HSE are aware that the process has started and you keep them informed, there shouldn't be a problem.
They are aware it can take time for grant of probate & property to be sold.
As for how long - piece of string question - how big / complicated is the estate? How many beneficiaries? Are they all in Ireland? Do you have contact details?
Are you doing probate yourself or have you instructed a solicitor?
Is anyone likely to act the maggot?
There must be more to this. T &C's have changed is very vague. The HSE don't reject deferrals without good reason and without stating specifically why the deferral is being rejected.I contacted the HSE when I received the bill and they told me that the T&C’s had changed since we entered fair deal 4 years ago. We signed up as since the property was my only home for 50 plus years & no other property I could defer as connected person. HSE has refused so now I am facing a bill as the will has funds going to siblings as I was to inherit the house they were to be financially catered for. We were never told that conditions had changed.
Have you asked the HSE how and to where you can appeal the decision. There has to be an appeals process.
If not then get on to the Ombudsman's office - and maybe contact a competent local TD (if you have one) -
There are categories for applying to delay repayment aside from being a connected person. One such reason is
So were you receiving any social welfare payments when you were a carer?
- any person who cared for the person in care prior to them entering the nursing home (this is defined by relevant social welfare payments such as carer's allowance)
Loan is not repayed to the HSE and is instead paid to Revenue and you have 12 months from the death to repay it. So if you have not commenced the probate process already, then it will be tight.
If you can't repay it within the 12 month period, Revenue will add interest to the loan at the rate of 0.0219% per day. That's not a big amount and may be cheaper then getting a loan, depending on the amount involved and assuming the delay is relatively small.
You can apply for the repayment to be delayed and I suggest you do so immediately. Potentially you may meet the requirement as a connected person based on your original post
Be very surprised if what you need isn't available online. In any event, you can always start by writing a letter.but they refused to send out the forms
when I rang to defer I was transferred to a manager and was told I would not be able to defer but to take my time as I had 12 months to repay loan and not rush into anything? It has been a challenging 6 years plus to support both wonderful elderly parents with health issues with Covid, lockdowns & nursing homes closing which impacted us . People here on this forum will probably know of the challenges, the fact there is always one sibling that is left to get on with it and it is a pity that the government does not understand the pressure that is put on them. Now I realise that by advising me to take my time I now run into pressure with probate, loans to repay siblings who want proceeds from estate regardless.Be very surprised if what you need isn't available online. In any event, you can always start by writing a letter.
I appreciate you are grieving for your parent; but what exactly have you done in the last five months?
I would write to the HSE requesting a deferral, saying you meet the criteria for a deferral. They have to reply. Any refusal of your request for deferral would say exactly why it was being refused and give details of the appeal process if you are not satisfied with their decision.I rang asking what was the process to defer & was told that terms had changed. I asked for the forms to be sent out to me anyway but they refused to send out the forms.
Using a solicitor for probate is easier and yes there is a cost involved but it will get done right and probably faster. I learnt things from talking to our solicitor that I was not aware of. Just ensure you get a proposed bill of costs before engaging. (they are obliged to provide that).thanks a million for all the replies. I rang asking what was the process to defer & was told that terms had changed. I asked for the forms to be sent out to me anyway but they refused to send out the forms. I meet the terms so really stressed that it is being handled in this way.