Paying for Home Care
Funding Information For Home Care
Funding your care can seem a daunting task, but there are plenty of options available to you. These are dependent on your financial situation which is evaluated by your local council.
Firstly, the council will identify the extent of the care required, to enable you or your loved one to live as independently as possible. If they find that you require care either in your home or in a residential setting, the council carry out a “means test” which is a financial assessment of your ability to fund the care.
What are the factors involved in the means test?
The means test looks at your income, benefits, entitlements, savings and other assets such as property to calculate your capital. You must ensure that you are getting all of your benefits and entitlements as the means test will assume that you are receiving them.
However, certain types of income and capital will not be counted in the means test, such as money from certain disability benefits.
Self Funding
If you are moving to a care home on a permanent basis and the council has accumulated your assets to be above £23,250 (England and N Ireland), then you will have to fund for your care yourself. The local council will calculate the cost of your care and how much of this you will have to pay for by yourself.
They will provide a realistic figure which allows you access to an appropriate care home.
The care home fees will vary depending on the individual care home and its location.
Direct Payments
Direct payments are payments made to people who have been assessed as needing social care services from their Local Authority.
Having a Direct Payment means you are able to arrange your own services or support, you have more freedom, choice and control as you can decide how your needs are met.
You can be creative in your thinking on how your budget is used. If you already receive support from your council and would like to apply for a direct payment, contact the Direct Payment Support Service or your Social Worker and let them know that you’re interested in receiving a direct payment for your social care needs.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
Another factor to consider is if you require medical attention, as you may be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare. This is a fully-funded package provided by the NHS to continue your care at your home. This is typically for a short period of time but can be used on a permanent basis as well.
Get In Touch
When you get in touch with us about our home care options, we will arrange a hassle-free assessment so we can fully understand your care needs. We will then create a care plan which offers home care support that’s completely personalised to you or your loved one
