When considering arranging home care for yourself or your loved one, one of the first questions everybody wants to answer is how much it might cost.
The is not a simple nor unique answer to that question. Care services are not usually free and how much you need to pay will depend on a number of factors such as personal and financial circumstances and also on each person´s needs. It will also depend on the type of care you decide to take.
There are different types of care available and we have put together a guide to help you understand the cost of care.
Main care types
Live-in Care
It is probably one of the most comprehensive form of care, and it has many benefits for the person who is looked after. The carer moves in to live at home, so the person who receives the care remains at home and stays close to family, friends, neighbours, so it is gets less confused as it occurs when has to move somewhere else, where everything is new to him/her and every person is a stranger.
The Live-in care costs start around £850 per week, which includes salary and agency fees. However, it is important noting that there might be additional costs, as with any other form of care, such us ongoing bills or special equipment needed. We recommend to budget around £40 a week (on average).
Visiting Care
Usually given by a professional carer, visting your relative a number of hours, either everyday or just some days during the week, to help him/her with their daily routines such us cooking some meals, housekeeping, etc.
This type of care is usually received by people with low dependency or, just to complement another type of care if needed.
Prices are in range between £10 & £30 an hour during the day, going up to an average of £150 per night.
Cost of Home Care funding
Can government help?
All forms of care can be expensive and so in some cases, the government can help with funding. In some cases, the government can help with funding.
There are different options for funding care and they can often be complicated . How much you have to pay, will depend on your health and mobility, the level of help and support you need, your personal/financial situation (savings, assets, income, etc.), as well as on what your nearest local council or NHS funding you might be entitled to.
Unfortunately, we cannot do the applications for you , but we can take you through the steps involved to make the journey a little bit easier:
In the UK and Northern Ireland, if your assets are more than £23,250 you are automatically discounted and may have to contribute towards your care. This figure differs for Wales (£24,000 for care at home, £30,000 for care in a home) and Scotland (£26,500).
Local Social Services
You will have to speak to social services in your area and complete care needs assessment form to find out whether you are eligible. Find out your local Social Services
Care Needs Assessment
The local authority will use the Care Needs Assessment to understand the extent of care required, as well as any other specific needs. The process can be done either by phone or in person , or someone else (for example, a relative) can do it on their behalf:
Once the Care Needs Assessment is completed, it will also be required to complete a means test, which is an appraisal to understand your financial circumstances , so they can establish whether you need to contribute towards the total cost of care, they assume the full cost of care, or just leave you meet the full cost of care.
Local councils have a limited amount of money available to allocate towards funding care, and this is one of the reasons why it is very difficult to meet the criteria to get full costs covered.
Public funding types
Direct Payments
Another way to get help funding your own care is via Direct Payments, also called Personal Budget, which are government contributions the care recipient can use to independently arrange their care.
Receivers can use this money however they see fit without having to go through constructing a care plan with a care provider. This gives your family more choice, control and flexibility over how you meet their care needs.
Those eligible for direct payments generally receive between £50 and £600 a month, depending on the extent of their need.
To find out whether you are eligible for direct payments, you need to get in touch with your local council . You will still have to complete the Funding Assessment as above and your eligibility is, once again, affected by the value of the assets you possess.
Find out which is your local council:
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people with a disability or terminal illness who have reached State Pension age and need someone to look after them.
This benefit is not necessarily means-tested (although your local authority may include it in their needs assessment), it is tax-free and can be paid to you regardless of your income and savings.
Attendance allowance helps to cover costs associated with the level of care needed, more than on your financial position. Attendance allowance rates in 2021/2022 are:
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Lower rate : £60 – those who need helps during the day or just supervision at night.
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Higher Rate : £89.60 – those who need supervision both night and day or are terminally ill.
This benefit is paid on top of other benefits, except if you are already receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which are not compatible simultaneously . However, if you qualify for the allowance, you may also qualify to other benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.
How can I apply for Attendance Allowance?
Applying for Attendance Allowance is a relatively simple process. The first thing you will have to do is to complete a claims form and sending off. You will need :
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You National Insurance Number
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Your GP’s Details
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A list of your medication and short statement of the help you need
You can download the form here:
It is important noting that, as any other form, it may be difficult to answer some questions about your condition or disability. Therefore, it is important to take your time, and include detailed information in all your answers, such us tasks, activities or needs that you are not able to do independently.
The Department of Work and Pensions will then review your application and will let you know their decision in writing. They usually do so within 6 weeks if you have an illness or conditions, and 2 weeks if you have a terminal illness.
You may be awarded an Attendance Allowance benefit either for a FIXED or INDEFINITE PERIOD . In case of Fixed Period, you will need to renew your claim before that period ends.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
This is an income-related benefit for people over state pension age. Over three million households are able to claim this benefit in the UK, but it is important to highlight that 40% of those, do not claim, just because they do not know that they are eligible.
If you get a Pension Credit, you are likely to qualify for other benefits, such as:
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Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
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Support for mortgage interest if you own the property you live in
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Council Tax Reduction
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A free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over
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Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
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Help with your heating costs
Your income:
When you apply for Pension Credit, your income is calculated, and you have a partner, your income is calculated together. You can claim Pension Credit if you are over 65 and your weekly income is:
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Your weekly income is lower than £177.10 if you are single
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Your weekly income is lower than £270.30 if you have a partner (info from www.gov.uk).
If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
What counts as income
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State Pension and other pensions
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Earnings : From employment and self-employment.
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Most social security benefits: For example Care's Allowance
What does not count as income
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Attendance Allowance
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Christmas Bonus
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Child Benefit
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Disability Living Allowance
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Personal Independence Payment
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social fund payments like Winter Fuel Allowance
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Housing Benefit
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Council Tax Reduction
What you will get
The amount you may get depends on your circumstances and meet the requirements, but you could get extra credit if you have a severe disability, you care for another adult, or are responsible for children or young people (and also if they are disabled). You can also get some extra credit if you have housing costs such as some service charges, ground rent if your property is a leasehold, etc
How to claim:
Applying for Pension Credit is a relatively simple process, and it will be faster if you have everything together before applying. You can apply up to four months before you want to start receiving the pension credit. About 90% of the Pension Credit applications are successful.
It will be very useful to have the following information together:
Your National Insurance Number
Bank account details with income and savings info
Details of any disabilities or conditions you have
Details of any pensions you already have
Proof of your housing costs – rent or mortgage
Details about your partner, if you have one.
You can download the form online here:
You can also call the Pension Credit claim line:
They will send you a letter with the decision, including the details of how much you will get and when it is to be paid.
INTRODUCTORY AGENCY
Cuidum Limited.
COMPANY NUMBER 13350210
