Live-in care funding and benefits

Attendance Allowance

A non-means-tested state benefit, for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care due to a disability or illness. The amount you receive depends on your needs. The Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability or health condition severe enough that you need someone to help look after you. You can claim by downloading an attendance allowance claim form
You could get £76.70 or £114.60 a week to help with personal support if both of the following apply:

• you have a physical disability, a mental disability, or a health condition
• you’re State pension age or older

You may qualify for some care funding from your local authority or the NHS.

We understand that the cost of live-in care is often a significant factor when choosing the option that’s best for you. However, cost shouldn’t stop you from getting the proper support. Fortunately, funding may be available to help you cover live-in care costs.

You may qualify for live-in care funding from your local authority or the NHS. State assistance for care is means-tested through a financial assessment by your local authority. This assessment considers the value of your property, savings, and other assets (your capital). The process involves a series of steps where your financial situation is evaluated to determine your eligibility for funding.

If your assets are less than the lower limit of £14,250 in England, then 100% of your care should be funded. However, you may be expected to contribute if you receive certain benefits or have any income, such as a pension or disability allowance.

If your assets exceed the upper limit of £23,250 in England, you will normally be expected to pay for your care in full.

How do they decide if I qualify for funding

The State looks at your assets which include

• Bank and building society accounts,
• Stocks, shares, and most investment products,
• National savings
• State pension, and any personal pension plans.
• Property and land
• Joint-held assets are usually divided in two to calculate an individual’s share, regardless of who contributed the most.

Assets not included in the calculation

• Property that continues to be lived in by yourself, a partner or a dependent.
• life policies and investment bonds with a life assurance element (check with your provider).

The value of your property should be excluded because you will continue to live in it.

Local authority funding for live-in care – direct payments

Direct payments are a great way to give you flexibility, choice, and control over your care.
Direct payment is the amount of funding the local authority will pay to meet your care needs. You can then choose how you spend the money on your care and support.

Local authorities can arrange for people who need live-in care to receive funding to arrange their care – either in their own home or a residential care home.

The first step is to discuss with your local authority’s social services department what financial support you may be entitled to. They will then assess your care needs and financial situation.

Local authorities set their eligibility criteria based on one of four care levels: low, moderate, substantial, or critical. Every local authority makes its criteria available on request.

The local authority will decide who will pay for the care based on an assessment of the person’s financial situation and the eligibility of their care needs, whether it be the person, the local authority, or a combination of both.

NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding

Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding is a whole package of ongoing care arranged and funded by the NHS for people outside the hospital with a high level of continuing health needs.

Individuals eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding receive their care package, including social care, for free.

The person must have a complex medical condition and substantial and ongoing care needs to be eligible.

The Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), a group of local doctors and other health professionals, decides the appropriate support package for someone eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare. They assess your needs and arrange the necessary care services.

Even if you are paying for your care, you may be eligible for some non-means-tested benefits and allowances, such as Disability Living

Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

Home Equity Release

A lifetime mortgage (equity release) allows you to continue living in your home. The lender gives you a lump sum or a monthly income (or both) based on its value.