Cousin in nursing home anxiously watching mail for a check for unclaimed property from the state (PA). We knew from state website it was mailed but never came to her. We asked staff about it, they said it was not in the building. Three weeks after it was mailed i called the Unclaimed Property office to report it was not received. Today, the bill comes from the nursing home and the value of check is listed as a "credit" (payment) toward her bill! I have emailed and asked how did this check (made out to the resident) get deposited without her actually receiving it! Thought I would ask here if it is normal for nursing homes to go thru patient mail and take envelopes obviously containing checks? (she was on Medicaid then we sold the house and went to private pay, check taken 6 weeks after house sale) Can't wait to hear the administration's reply....
We will follow up to confirm how/who/what happened and politely but firmly stress this should not happen. No other government checks like this will be forthcoming. And i will stress to her friends to be cautious when mailing her anything. Thanks everyone for your input, especially AlvaDeer, you are a love.
And yes I am still "queasy" about the staff going thru resident mail and taking checks. No explanation from the nursing home as to why they looked her in the eye and told her the check wasn't there. . I hear my dad to this day -"it's the principle of the thing!"