Funding & Benefits

The key questions on paying for care

When it comes to paying for live-in care at home, you may be wondering: “Will I have to sell my home or house to pay for care?” Here’s where you can find some answers to questions you may have about funding and benefits in relation to 24 hour live in care. The short answer is only if the client agrees to go into a residential facility based on THEIR choice or a lack of information.

Care Homes are currently charging £400 per week or more above the cost of Live-in care

Introduction to benefits and funding a live-in carer

If Live-in Care at home, or even a Direct payment is desired then the house does not get included in any financial assessment, and so even with a top-up for a Live-in carer the equity in the property will last many years longer, depending on the property value 10 or more years longer. This also allows some equity to remain for anybody the client wishes to include in their willed estate. Our knowledge on funding benefits for a live-in carer will help you through the complexities you need to navigate to help pay for 24 hour live-in care for you or a loved one.

Care Homes are currently charging £400 per week or more above the cost of Live-in care, and clients with funds from a house or other means are subsidising those who have no assets and whose council rates do not cover the cost of care.

When a person has serious and ongoing Care needs, the NHS should fund the care. Recently many NHS authorities are making it extremely difficult to get Continuing Healthcare Funding (CHC), and appealing any decision. This put the burden on Local authorities who are stretched due to a lack of Government funding.

The result is that many Local Authorities are not fully informing people needing care of their options and choices that must be made clear under the Care Act 2014. If a care assessment determines that only several calls per day are required then the client or legal advocates have the choice to request a Direct payment, and then select their own provider for these calls,

If the client or advocates feel there is a greater need or wish to have the security and companionship of a qualified Live-in carer then they can top-up the cost of the Live-in Care package. Even an equity release from the property will extend the funding for Live-in care far beyond the cost of a Care Home, and remember when the funding runs out the Care Home may not take clients paid for by Social care and so the client will have to move to a facility that may be much less desirable or in a less suitable location.

Local Authorities are telling people who are in need of care that they only have the choice of the assessed calls or to go into a Residential facility (Care Home), and omitting the fact that they are entitled to ask for a Direct payment.

Remember that if you go into a Residential Home the Local Authority will ask for the house to be sold to pay for the Residential Care (or offer you a bridging loan until the sale, at which time you will be asked to pay the money back). Only when the client’s assets fall below the £23,250 threshold will assistance be offered.

If clients treasure their independence and lifestyle choices then paying for Live-in care at home is a very cost effective choice, we can happily discuss the issues on obtaining benefits for funding live-in care.

Useful links for more information:

Information on personal Budgets

Information on Financial Assessments

What are Personal Budgets and Direct Payment?

These are budgets set-up to manage the receipt of funds and the payments for the care that is required by the client. The budget and payments may be received by somebody acting for the client if the Client is not able to manage their own Care Package, but this would have to be approved, and usually would require a Power of Attorney.

If your home is sold then you will not qualify for funding until the threshold (£23,250) is met, and the value will disappear very quickly. And if full funding is not approved, then a top up arrangement will preserve value in the property for a long time.

These are cash payments given in lieu of community care services you have been assessed as needing, and are intended to give you greater choice in your care.

For further information on Direct Payments, the financial assessment process, and a person’s contribution calculation click here.

How does the process work?

First, the local authority determines how much money you might need, and more importantly, how much they will contribute, and if you want to manage your own money with a personal budget. Once agreed and if you wish to go ahead with a live-in care service, a support plan is put together, setting out your priorities and goals and how we can help meet them. When you agree the Care Support Plan you start to receive the cash.

Benefits available

The information below is intended to help you find out which benefits you may be entitled to claim. It is not a guide to the benefits themselves. If you are an older person or an adult with a disability, you may qualify for more than one benefit, especially if you have low savings and income. Whilst we do our best to be current with information, we cannot guarantee it is accurate.

You may be able to apply for any of the following benefits in your own right. Click on the links to find out more:

• Incapacity Benefit
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit
• Working Tax Credit
• Disability Living Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance

Click on the link below for more information and help on all benefits and what you may be entitled to:

UK Benefits Calculator

NB: These benefits can also be applied for by adults without disabilities.

What level of support do we provide?

Our Live-in care service covers support and assistance with personal care, including Medication, washing, dressing, personal appearance (including brushing hair, shaving etc.) continence issues or accidents. See this page for an introduction to our full list of services.

We also provide highly skilled care for those requiring Catheter and Stoma care, PEG feed, palliative care, hoisting and other major mobility support.

Live-in domestic duties include shopping, cooking, cleaning and laundry. Care and support may also be required due to learning difficulties, including assistance to participate in community activities. If clients you cannot be left alone due to frailty, infirmity, confusion, or require two Care Workers to provide the necessary care at times, or someone to cover our Care Worker’s break, we can help to work with family or co-ordinate supporting Agencies.

Our Couples rates apply when there are two people who require different levels of care and rely on one Live-In Care Worker, with possible additional support as detailed above (the rates are normally approximately 40-50% more than the single rate).