Paying for Social Care - Frequently Asked Questions
How will my savings / capital affect what I have to pay for Self-Directed support (care in the community)?
If you have more than £23,250* in savings / capital, you will be responsible for the full cost of your services. This will equal the actual cost of your care package. We will not need to ask you about your income / outgoings during the financial assessment. You may still wish to give us this information to enable a full benefits check.
If you have more than £14,250* (but less than £23,250*) we will include your savings in the financial assessment. If you have more than £14,250 (but less than £23,250) you will pay an element of tariff income towards your care. This is currently £1 for each £250 above £14,250.
If you have less than £14,250* we will not include your savings in the financial assessment. We will need to see your bank statements / documents to confirm the amount of savings and capital you have.
Example: You have £280 per week income and you have £15,000 in savings/capital. You will have £3.00 per week tariff income making your total income £283 per week.
What is the most that I could be charged for Self-Directed Support (care in the community)?
Your contribution will depend on your financial assessment and the cost of your care. You will pay the lower of the actual cost of care and your weekly maximum assessed financial contribution. This is calculated through your financial assessment.
Examples:
- the actual weekly cost of your care is £350 per week
- your maximum weekly assessed financial contribution is £80 per week.
- you will only pay £80 per week
- the actual weekly cost of your care is £60per week
- your greatest weekly assessed financial contribution is £80 per week
- you will only pay £60 per week
- all charges are applicable from the start date of your care package excluding any period of reablement
Do I have to pay anything else towards my care in the community?
If you pay the full cost for your care due to having savings/capital over the capital limit (currently £23,250) and you are not entitled to financial assistance from the Council and you ask us to commission services on your behalf, then a charge of £334* per annum will be payable (££6.42 applied weekly). Meals at day services are also payable separately.
How are my benefits affected?
Your benefits are not affected by any care / support you receive in your own home or as part of a Self-Directed Support. Self-directed support includes non-residential care and support. There are certain benefits that are paid in recognition of care needs. These include Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment. As part of your financial assessment, we will conduct a full benefits check. We will support you and / or your partner (subject to their agreement) to claim all relevant benefits.
Care Review and change to your care package
At some point your care package will be reviewed by your Social Worker. If the cost of your package increases your financial contribution will also increase. But only if you are currently paying less than your weekly maximum assessed financial contribution.
For example - Your weekly maximum assessed financial contribution is £50. The cost of your care package increases from £33 to £45 per week. Your contribution will also increase by the same amount. The increase will start from the date that your care package changes. This will all be agreed by your Social Worker and confirmed in your Care & Support Plan increases.
Download and view this guide to entering a care home
What do I pay if I go into a care home permanent placement?
If you have more than £23,250* in savings / capital, you will be responsible for the full cost of your care. The weekly cost will be agreed between you and the care home. This means we will not need to ask you about your income / outgoings during the financial assessment. You may still wish to give us this information to enable a full benefits check.
If you have more than £14,250* (but less than £23,250*) we will include your savings in the financial assessment. If you have less than £14,250* we will not include your savings in the financial assessment. We will need to see your bank statements / documents as you will need to confirm the amount of savings and capital you have.
If you have more than £14,250 (but less than £23,250) you will pay an element of tariff income towards your care. This is currently £1 for each £250 above £14,250. If you have less than £14,250, we will not include your savings in the financial assessment. We will still need to see your bank statements / documents as you will need to confirm the amount of savings and capital you have.
Your financial assessment contribution will be dependent on your detailed financial assessment. This includes capital, savings, and other assets such as property. If you have less than £23,250 in savings and capital the Council may be able to help you. Your financial assessment contribution is backdated to the start of the placement.
You are responsible for paying for your care while you are waiting for the Council to work out exactly what you should. Please call the Personalisation & Assessment Team on 01924 307317 (option 2) if you have any queries about what you should be paying.
Respite placement
If you have less than £23,250 in savings / capital you will pay a flat rate dependent on your age (as below)
This is applicable for a maximum of 8 weeks per year subject to the capital limit detailed above. Any respite over 8 weeks is subject to a detailed financial assessment.
18 - 64 £128.91* per week.
65 and over £184.39* per week.
How are my benefits affected?
Permanent placement: You may qualify for some benefits or continue to receive them (if you are already entitled). If you are not already in receipt of either Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, or Disability Living Allowance Care Component’s at the highest rate please either speak to your Social Worker or contact the Personalisation & Assessment Team on 01924 307317 (option 1) for assistance
Respite placement – If your stay is less than 28 days your benefits are not normally affected. After 28 days some benefits such as Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence payment will stop. Please contact the Department for Work and Pensions for further guidance. The relevant number will be on any recent benefit award letter.
*Please note - all rates are as at correct as of 8 April 2024.