Funding options for Live-in Care are wide and varied. You may need to pay for funding privately, in which case we suggest you find an IFA with Care Fee Planning experience – Read more about Symponia to find a local member.
There are a number of State and Local Authority funding options which you may qualify for.
- Social services may provide total or split funding through Direct Payments
- Continuing Care from your local Primary Care Trust
- The Independent Living Fund
There are also tax free benefits that, whilst not sufficient to pay for care, you may still be entitled to:
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Allowance
Please note that all the figures quoted below are due to be reviewed in April 2009.
Direct Payments
If you have been assessed as needing help from Social Services, but would like to arrange and pay for your own care and support rather than receive care directly from Social Services, you may be eligible to receive Direct Payments from your local council.
If your council will contribute to the cost of residential care then you are entitled to use that same amount of money towards Live-in Care. The amount of funding you receive will depend on your income and capital (see below for definitions). If your capital is less than £13,500 then just your income is considered. If you have more than £22,500 in capital then you will have to pay the full cost of Live-in Care.
- Capital includes: Bank or Building Society accounts, National Savings Certificates, Bonds, PEPs, Tessas, ISAs and Shares.
- Income includes: Retirement Pension, Pension Credit, Income Support, Private or Occupational pensions and any Annuities or Trust Funds.
If any of the above are jointly owned, only your share only is taken into consideration. For more information on Direct Payments, contact your local Social Services department.
Continuing Care (Health Funding)
People who do not need to stay in an NHS acute hospital, but do need a high degree of ongoing health care, may be eligible for this fully funded care option. Anybody can qualify if their needs satisfy the eligibility criteria; the largest group who receive continuing care are those with a seriously life limiting or terminal condition.
Health funding is intended to cover the entire cost of care, as if the care was being provided in an NHS Hospital. It includes all medical care, nursing care, personal care, plus living and accommodation costs. For more information contact your local Primary Care Trust. Contact the NHS Direct on 0845 4647 and they will be able to give you the details of your local PCT.
Independent Living Funds
Independent Living Funds are set up and financed by central government. They are dedicated to the financial support of disabled people, enabling them to choose to stay in their own home rather than residential care. These Funds disregard your earnings (or that of a partner), which means you can continue to earn without losing any funding. Independent living funding is only available for those over 16 and under the age of 65, so suitable for those interested in our Younger Persons Care service. Contact the Independent Living Fund directly on 0845 601 8815 or email your query to funds@ilf.org.uk.
Attendance Allowance
This tax free benefit is available for those aged 65 and over who need help with personal care due to a mental or physical disability. They may be entitled to Attendance allowance if:
- They have a physical or mental disability, or both
- Their disability is severe enough for them to need help caring for themselves
- They are aged 65 or over when they claim - If the person is under 65, read about Disability Living Allowance below.
Attendance allowance is not usually affected by individual savings or income. The amount that the claimant receives will depend on how much their disability affects them. There are two rates:
- Higher Rate = £67 per week
- Lower Rate = £44.85 per week
For more information contact the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882200 or apply online at www.dwp.gov.uk/eservice
Disability Allowance (DLA)
The Disability Allowance is the same as the Attendance allowance detailed above, but is intended for children and adults under 65 who have a physical or mental disability, who need help with walking or personal care.
For more information contact the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882200 or apply online at www.dwp.gov.uk/eservice