Funding
“Every financial worry you want to banish and financial dream you want to achieve, comes from taking tiny steps today that put you on the path towards your goals” S. Orman
At Aveley Lodge Care Home, we understand that making the decision to come into a care home can be a very difficult one, one that’s often compounded because of financial worries such as how much will the care fees be and how will you afford them? Therefore, we have put together some information on this page that we hope will go some way to help individuals and their families understand and navigate the often-complicated path regarding funding in care.
Financial Advisors
Nationally, there are several specialist financial advisers, who are both accredited and independent, offering full advice and a support service, without bias towards one particular care provider or style of care. A quick look on the internet will provide you with a list and contact details of your nearest advisors.
State Benefits
If you are over 65, you can claim Attendance Allowance (AA). This can help with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you. Attendance Allowance is paid weekly at 2 different rates – the one you get depends on the level of help you need. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested which means what you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you get.
There are different rates depending on how your needs affects you. The lower rate applies where you may require frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night whereas the higher rate applies where you need help or supervision throughout both day and night, or a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live. You could also get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you get Attendance Allowance. You cannot usually get Attendance Allowance if you live in a care home and your care is paid for by your local authority, but you can still claim Attendance Allowance if you pay for all your care home costs yourself.
As of April 2024, the following rates apply:
- Higher rate £108.55
- Lower rate £72.65
For further information or to apply, please visit https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance
Local Authority Funding
Local Authority funding is not accessible to individuals where capital assets exceed £23,250. Where assets exceed this amount, you are considered a self-funder, which essentially means you will have to pay for your own care fees until such a time that your capital falls below this threshold. Some assets are excluded from the assessment which is undertaken by the Local Authority. In particular, the treatment of the persons home can sometimes lead to confusion. This asset is excluded if:
- A spouse or partner still resides at the property
- A relative aged 60 or over lives at the house
- A disabled relative lives at the house
- A dependent child under 18 lives in the house
- The care is being provided on a temporary basis
- The person is in the first twelve weeks of needing permanent care
With Local Authority funding, you can top up care payments of the amount provided if it does not meet the cost of the chosen care provider. Local Authorities will only assess the individual needing care and do not assess a couple’s joint resources. For more information you will need to contact your Local Authority. For those in Essex please visit https://www.essex.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health for more information.
“A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went” D. Ramsey
NHS Continuing Health Care
NHS continuing healthcare is an ongoing package of health and social care that is arranged and funded solely by the NHS where an individual is found to have a primary health need. Such care is provided to an individual aged 18 or over to meet needs that have arisen as a result of disability, accident or illness.
To qualify for Continuing Healthcare funding, it must be proven that you have a ‘primary health need’. This means that your care requirements are primarily for healthcare, rather than social or personal care needs. This is usually judged via a two-step assessment process.
If you think you may be eligible for continuing healthcare you should speak with your GP, healthcare professional or social worker first. Alternatively, you can contact the local continuing healthcare team in your county of residence. For residents currently in Essex, please visit https://www.essex.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health/housing-options-and-care-homes/continuing-healthcare
NHS Funded Nursing Care
NHS-funded nursing care is registered nursing care funded by the NHS for eligible nursing home residents.
You may qualify for NHS-funded nursing care if the following is true:
- You live in a care home which is registered to provide nursing care.
- You are not eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare but have been assessed as needing care from a registered nurse
You should be assessed for NHS continuing healthcare before a decision is made about whether you are eligible for NHS-funded nursing care. Most people don’t need a separate assessment for NHS-funded nursing care. However, if you do need an assessment or you haven’t already had one, your integrated care board (ICB) can arrange an assessment for you. Please visit https://suffolkandnortheastessex.icb.nhs.uk/ for more information
Further Information
You can also find further useful information on funding your care by AGEUK at: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/paying-for-care/
