How is care funded?
How can I fund care for myself or a loved one, is a question we’re asked regularly. Understanding all of your funding options can make a big difference to the care you choose. The cost of care is dependent on your situation. You may be eligible for government assistance in meeting some, or all, of your care costs.
The financial side of care for a loved one can be daunting. Wondering how to pay for Alzheimer’s care, Dementa or for the care needed by a loved one living with a certain condition? Don’t worry, we’re happy to help you through the entire process, step by step.
Cost of care: What are my options?
When it comes to paying for care, there are a range of public funding options and benefit entitlements available. You might choose to fund your care privately or via direct payments. However, if you need advice on your funding options for the cost of care, we recommend that you speak with a Financial Advisor who has experience in this area.
Funding for elderly care from your local authority
In the first instance, we would recommend contacting your local authority to see if they are able to cover some of the costs involved in your care. Individuals with income or savings above a certain threshold may not be able to claim relief from local government. Some authorities do not support Live in Care and would prefer to fund a lowest cost care home place but these options are frequently not the prefered option by families for many reason. In this case you have a legal right to ask for ‘Direct Payments’ from you local authority who are abliged to pay the costs they would have incurred to you directly if you want to fund an alternative care solution. Although there is often a shortfall the direct payment covers a substantial proportion of costs and can make the difference between having to take the cheapest care the Local Authority can source and instead having one to one care in your own home with a carers managed directly by you.
The Money Advice Service provides more information on how to find out if you are eligible for funding from your local authority – at the very least, you will be entitled to a care needs assessment.
Are you entitled to benefits?
Many people will be entitled to certain benefits from the state, which can go some way to paying for the cost of care. There are a number of different benefits available, including:
• Pension Credits
• Savings Credits
• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Constant Attending Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Council Tax Benefit
Could you claim a personal health budget?
As of October 2014, individuals who have been receiving NHS Continuing Healthcare have been able to claim a personal health budget. The money provided may be used to set up a care package with an independent care provider such as ourselves, with the support of your local NHS team.
Could you draw upon an Immediate Need Care Fee Annuity?
An Immediate Needs Annuity can provide a guaranteed, regular income that can help you meet the cost of care. In the first instance, you will need to pay a one-off fee when you purchase the annuity.
What is Self Funding Care?
How does self funding long term care work? It means you can choose to pay for care yourself with savings. Alternatively, some people decide to release the equity in their home in order to pay for the cost of care.
Still unsure about the cost of care in the home for the elderly? If you would like to discuss how to pay for long term care for elderly relatives in more detail, get oin touch on 0330 0535014.
Learn more about Live-in care costs online today.
