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Meeting the costs
It is essential that the person you care for gets advice to ensure they are getting all the financial benefits they may be entitled to. Have a look at our pages on benefitsMoney for paying for a place in a care home will come from two sources; the State (with possibly a Registered Nursing Care Contribution from the NHS) and / or from self-funding.
State Assistance
The amount of assistance you can expect from the state (via West Sussex) will depend on the cared for person's financial position - a test of their income and capital. The local authority only means test the person requiring care and 50% of any private pension must be returned to their partner at home.From April 2009, capital in excess of £23,000 means the costs would normally have to be fully self-funded. If the value of the capital is below £14,000 the person you care for will be entitled to maximum support though he or she will be expected to contribute all but £21.90 of their income towards these costs.
Capital between these two figures incur a £1 tariff for every £250 above the lower figure.
Capital includes the value of the person's former home unless it is occupied by a partner or relative who is over 60 or who is incapacitated. The first 12 weeks of permanent care will receive financial assistance if the capital is below that £23,000 figure.
West Sussex does not make carers homeless when someone goes into residential care. If someone is living in the property when the owner goes into residential care, the council may place a ''charge'' on the property, which is recovered if and when it is sold. However, people who were living in the same house as the person who has gone into residential care, and who were caring for them, may apply for the value of the property to be disregarded in any financial assessment. The council has a discretionary power to do this.
Self-funding
If the placement in a care home has to be self-funded to any degree it is worth checking whether funds will run out before this level of care is no longer needed. It is sensible to get an assessment of the care needs from Social and Caring Services department, Contact details for West Sussex Adults' and Children and Young People's Services (health and social care)Be aware of the possibility that the contribution from the state may not cover the full costs of your chosen care home - it is worth discussing this with both the care home owner and the Social and Caring Services department to ensure the person your care for will be able to stay in their preferred home for as long as necessary.
Immediate Need Care Fee Payment Plans
There are some financial products which may be able to help avoid these circumstances. Immediate Need Care Fee Payment Plans are designed to provide enough money to cover current and likely costs of care in exchange for payment of a capital sum. The notes on this page were taken from the NHFA who can provide further information and advice about meeting the cost of long-term care.These notes were taken, and further advice can be sought from:
The Nursing Homes Fees Agency (NHFA)www.nhfa.co.uk - NHFA provides independent advice on the financial implications of obtaining and paying for care. Produces a range of factsheets available to download from the website
- St Leonards House
Mill Street
Eynsham
Oxford OX29 4JX
Tel: 01865 733000
Fax: 01865 733001
Email: [email protected]
10 tips on long-term care
1. Pay for care in your home - increasing the level of care at home can delay the need to go into a nursing home.
2. Claim your allowances - Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people aged 65 or over who need help with personal care because they are physically or mentally impaired. It is paid regardless of your level of income or savings. Claim by calling the official Benefit Enquiry Line 0800 882 200 or online at www.dwp.gov.uk/eservice.
3. Speak to the charity professionals - Help the Aged's free SeniorLine telephone advice service provides welfare rights advice for older people and their carers - phone 080 8800 6565.
4. Buy an 'instant annuity' - some or all of the cost of full-time care may be financed by buying a type of annuity known as an immediate needs care plan. These pay much more than a standard annuity because typically people go into care when their health is poor and life expectancy is comparatively short.
5. Keep your savings separate - local authorities no longer have the right to raid the savings of the husband or wife of someone who has to go into care and has asked for help paying the fees. However, to be sure of avoiding problems with joint accounts; married couples should keep their savings in separate names.
6. Ask for regular reviews - many people going into a home will be eligible for a Government payment to cover the nursing element of their care, known as the NHS nursing contribution. With time, the extent of nursing care required may increase, so do ask for a review.
7. Consider equity release - an alternative to an immediate needs care plan may be equity release. This can provide you with a lump sum or a regular monthly income by signing away some or all the value of your home.
8. Take power of attorney now - don't wait until a family member or relative is incapable of managing their own affairs before considering a power of attorney. It can make the whole process much more complicated and you may end up with the Court of Protection looking over your shoulder.
9. Beware if you want to avoid paying - many people believe the state should pay for long-term care and some will be tempted to arrange their affairs so that they can claim they do not have enough money or assets (such as their home) to cover the cost. The authorities will come after you and your family members if they have reason to think you have deliberately set out to evade self-funding.
10. Think about inheritance tax - legitimate IHT planning may enable you to hand some of your assets to family and friends without falling foul of the rules on disposal of assets.
Help the Aged's free seniorline telephone advice service provides welfare rights advice for older people and their carers; phone 080 8800 6565.
You can get more information from:
The Citizen's Advice Bureau - A national voluntary organisation providing free information and advice on a wide range of issues. The website contains a great deal of useful information on a huge range of topics.www.ageuk.org.uk/ - Age Concern and Help the Aged merged in April 2010 and became Age UK. information and advice section contains a range of factsheets and information sheets on finding and paying for care home accommodation
www.caredirections.co.uk - information section containing advice on who pays for what when moving into a care home
www.helptheaged.org.uk - advice and support section contains information about choosing and paying for a care home
www.housingcare.org - Elderly Accommodation Council
www.counselandcare.org.uk
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