NAVIGATING THROUGH THE CARE SYSTEM CAN BE COMPLEX, WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Funding for care can be daunting with so many options available, it can vary from county to county and with different authorities. With our ‘Costs Calculator’ it will provide a tailored approach to your exact care needs, providing you with an accurate cost of what you can expect to pay.
Funding for care can be daunting with so many options available, it can vary from county to county and with different authorities. With our ‘Costs Calculator’ it will provide a tailored approach to your exact care needs, providing you with an accurate cost of what you can expect to pay.
When the time has come and you have decided a loved one or albeit yourself require additional support to remain independent at home, the first point of call is to apply for a ‘Needs Assessment’ through the Local Council and Social Services, you can also apply online via.
The Local Council together with the Social Services will work with you and your loved one to arrange for a ‘Means Test’ even in the event you are not entitled to any funding, this service is free of charge.
If you feel the decision made by the local council and social services are not accurate or fair in relation to the funding, you can contest and appeal the decision. The local authority and social services have a duty of care towards vulnerable individuals in the community and are duty bound in accordance to – THE CARE ACT 2014.
This is where the client or members of the family pay directly to the provider of the care services. In this situation it is usually due to the service user being unable to qualify for funding as through their ‘Means Test’ their collective savings including any assets amount to and are above the threshold and have a value that exceed £23,250.
‘Direct Payments’ are usually ongoing payments and the most commonly used source of funding, this is where the local authority after review of your situation, give a specified budget for the individual in need of care into their bank account or a nominated party – this could be a Solicitor or a Power of Attorney. This form of funding enables the individual to have greater control and autonomy with who they choose to allocate the funding to. The individual receiving the funds must keep records of how the budget is spent and produce the evidence upon request for the funding body. Funding could range from fully funded or partial funding whereby the person receiving support will have to make up the difference.
‘Local Authority Funding’ is when an individual enter into a contract/agreement with the council. The council essentially picks which care provider the individual receives support from, any funds received from the person in care will then be paid directly to the council. The disadvantages of this type of funding is that you have less autonomy and strict rules must be adhered to, as a general rule of thumb, 7 days notice must be given in advance of any cancellations – Your Allocated Social Worker should be able to give more specific guidance.
NHS – ‘Continuing Healthcare Funding’ (CHC) is the most difficult type of free funding one can obtain, this type of funding is commonly allocated and awarded to those whose life is severely affected by their condition and have significant care requirements. Irrespective of your financial situation or any savings you may have, the focus is on the healthcare needs, not your circumstances. If you meet the criteria, you are entitled to the – NHS CHC funding covering all the costs and associated expenses.
Home Equity Release is essentially a long-term loan with the bank. If you qualify and you are over the age of 55 years old, you can essentially borrow money against your property. This type of borrowing is usually for individuals in the age bracket of 65 > 80+, there is no upper age limit. You do not need to sell your home. You do not need to repay anything back until either you sell your property or pass away – In any instance you should consult with an ‘independent professional financial advisor’, they would be able to give a more-in-depth picture of this scheme offered – therefore you and your family can make an informed decision with funding for your care and support.
PLEASE NOTE THE INFORMATION OUTLINED ABOVE IS A QUICK SUMMARY OF THE TYPES OF FUNDING AVAILABLE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, WHILST EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE ITS ACCURACY, BY NO MEANS IS IT A GUARANTEE, IT IS IMPORTANT YOU DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. First Light Independent CARE ARE HAPPY TO DISCUSS THE ABOVE INFORMATION – FREE OF CHARGE.