How will you pay?

If you or your family are planning to pay for the full costs of a care home you don’t need to contact Social Services. However they are happy to advise you on any areas you may need help with. Alternatively, if you think you will be unable to pay, you will need to contact your local Social Services office. They will help you to decide if a care home is the best option. This is called an assessment.

Who qualifies for local authority financial assistance?

If you have been assessed as needing a care home place and your capital is below £23,250, you should be entitled to financial support from your local authority.

If the state is paying do I have a choice of care home?

Yes and it can even be in a different county. The home you choose must be suitable for your assessed needs, comply with any terms and conditions set by the authority – and not cost any more than that authority would usually pay for someone with your needs.

What if the home costs more than the local authority is prepared to pay for?

The local authority will allow the fees to be topped up by a third party, providing they are able to do so over the long term. You are not allowed to top up the fees yourself from capital below £23,250.

“…if your capital is below £23,250, you should be entitled to financial support from your local authority.”

My partner needs care, how does this financially affect me?

Only the partner requiring care should be means tested. Property occupied by a partner is disregarded and only 50% of any private pension should be taken into account. The Local Authority will take into account 50% of joint savings.

Do I have to pay council tax on an empty property?

If you move into a care home and your property is left empty, then you should receive full exemption from Council Tax until it’s sold.

Pension credit

If your weekly income (including income from savings) is less than £137.35 for a single person or £209.70 if you have a partner, you may be entitled to Pension Credit, which will top up your weekly income to at least these financial levels.

Attendance Allowance

This is a non-means tested, non-taxable allowance of £47.80 for those needing care by day or night and £71.40 for those needing both day and night care.

NHS Nursing Care Contributions

Whether temporary or permanent, if you stay in a care home and need nursing care, the NHS will provide a contribution of £108.70 subject to advice from the home and assessment by the NHS.

Financial products to meet care costs

There are ways of meeting care costs for as long as you need it, whilst only using up part of your capital. Speak to reputable firms to compare the products and ask a friend or relative, who you trust, to give you their opinion on the options available.

You may also be entitled to additional allowances. By talking with Social Services or someone from Help the Aged, you can get a full understanding of the funding available to you. It is important to plan ahead to assess what your budget is likely to be for a care home both now and in the future.

For further details you can visit www.careaware.co.uk for a wide range of information and advice or http://caredirections.co.uk/comment_60.htm for specific information about costs.