About Care Funding
An important consideration for anyone involved in arranging appropriate care (long or short term) is the issue of funding. For many, looking at the available funding options can be a worrying and confusing task. Care Matters can help steer you through some of the process once we have determined what specific type of care funding you may be entitled to.
Care and support services have never been completely free of charge and most people have to contribute something towards the cost of their own care. In some cases, you may have to pay for 100% of the cost of care.
Local Authority Assessments
Your local Council may cover some (or even all) of the cost of funding your care in certain situations. Any funding available is means-tested. This means that who funds (and by what amount) depends on:
- what your needs are
- how much money you have
- what level and type of care and support you actually need.
Funding applications for local authority help require a financial assessment of your social care needs and your personal financial situation. In this instance, a Financial Assessment Officer will visit you in your home and look at details including:
- Income
- Savings* – please refer to note on Joint Savings
- Pensions
- Benefits
- Property
- Stocks and shares
This assessment will then calculate whether the council pays for all of your care, some of your care, or if you will have to pay for all of your care.
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Current thresholds
Current legislation stipulates that if you have savings and property assets in excess of £23,250* you will NOT be eligible for local authority funding for your care. It is important to remember however, that for care in your own home, the value of your property will NOT be taken into account.
*In April 2020 the current threshold is set to rise and there are further plans to place a limit, or ‘cap’ on care costs, which should mean that people become eligible for funding sooner.
If you ARE eligible for support , this will be paid via a direct payment as part of your personal budget. Financial assessments will be reviewed annually.
*Joint Savings
It is important to note that any savings that are jointly held, are proportioned out accordingly. For example, a savings account held in both husband and wife names with total savings of £10,000 will mean each party holds £5,000 savings each.
CQC Reports
Further Information
We strongly recommend seeking professional advice to find out funding information based on your own specific circumstances. Further help and support for funding your care may be found from the following sources:
For more information please visit:
NHS website – http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/Pages/funding-care.aspx
The Citizen’s Advice Bureau in Darlington and Stockton areas – contact details include:
Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau
Bennet House
14 Horsemarket
Darlington
DL1 5PT
Telephone: 01325 256999
Email: admin.desk@darlingtoncab.co.uk
Stockton & District Advice & Information Service
Wellington Square Shopping Centre,
Stockton-on-Tees,
TS18 1RH
Telephone:03442 451 295
Email: support@stockton-cab.co.uk
Darlington Association on Disability (DAD)
for: Direct Payments and Self Directed Support, Carers Support, Shop Mobility, Disability, Advocacy.
22 Horsemarket
Darlington
DL1 5PT
Telephone: 01325 489999
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