Required evidence
You will need to have various information and documents to hand to complete the self-assessment form. We have created a list of things that we will ask about during the assessment to help you prepare.
All details you provide will be processed in accordance with data protection legislation and our Adult care services privacy notice.
We will ask about:
- personal information such as National Insurance number
- details of any representatives and legal authority documents
- property, land and assets, etc
- current or savings accounts - sole/joint bank, building society or post office accounts, saving bonds and any cash held by you or someone on your behalf
- investments such as stocks, shares, investment bonds and premium bonds etc
- pensions and annuities (including any deferred pensions)
- any benefits, income or trust funds
- details of any essential expenditure such as mortgage payments, building insurance, rent, council tax, etc
- any capital or assets gifted or transferred in the last 2 years or at any time since having a care need or self-funding your own care.
We will request evidence to ensure our assessment is accurate. This allows us to determine the level of funding you qualify for. Providing us with evidence allows us to calculate a fair contribution toward your care based on what you can reasonably afford.
How to submit your evidence
When submitting your evidence, please do not send original documents, as we cannot guarantee their safe return. We are happy to accept clear photos or digital scans of your documents by email. If you prefer to use the post, please send photocopies only. When sending your evidence, please remember to include your name or reference number so we can match it to your case.
What if I do not have the required documentation?
Please complete your financial assessment as soon as possible. You can do this even if you do not have all your paperwork to hand. This helps us tell you how much you might have to pay toward your care.
We will work with you to ensure the assessment is full and accurate. Additional evidence can be submitted later and during the assessment process through our secure online document upload, via email, or by post.
Essential Information
We will need your contact details and information about your situation. If someone else helps you with your finances, we will need their details too. This could be a Power of Attorney, Deputy, or Financial Representative.
If you have a legal representative, we will need to see evidence of one the following documents:
- an Enduring Power of Attorney or a Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs,
- a Property and Financial Affairs Deputyship (court authority)
- or a DWP Appointeeship (this permits the person to make decisions regarding your state pension and benefits).
Property, land and assets
Where applicable, we will ask about any property, land and assets you own, or have a share of either in the UK, or abroad.
| We will ask about | Evidence |
|---|---|
|
Your properties (both commercial and residential) Any businesses you own, or have a share in Any land owned (eg arable, pasture, brownfield etc) Other property assets such as caravans, park homes, boats or beach huts, or any additional dwelling you do not occupy, etc |
proof of properties owned in the last 2 years. Or, where applicable, prior to the start of any care / admission to care home latest statement for any mortgage, equity release or secured loan completion statement for sale of previous property property valuation certificate proof of joint ownership trust deeds (where applicable) document showing your financial interest in any Businesses |
Current accounts and savings
We will ask you to provide details of any current accounts, savings and cash in your name and any joint accounts.
| We will ask about | Evidence |
|---|---|
|
Current / savings accounts (bank, building society, post office accounts, etc) Cash ISA accounts PayPal type accounts Fixed or variable rate savings bonds Any cash you hold |
statements for all accounts required for the 1 month immediately prior to care start date. if previously self-funded then statements are needed for the whole period of care plus 1 month prior to start of care / admission to care home closure statements for any accounts closed the value of any cash held |
Investments and Trust Funds
Where applicable, we will ask you to provide details of any investment holdings in your name and any joint names. As well as any Trust Funds of which you are a current or potential beneficiary.
| We will ask about | Evidence |
|---|---|
|
Individual stocks and shares held Stocks and shares ISA accounts Investment bonds Cash value of all premium bonds in your name Any national savings certificates Timeshares (or holiday ownership) |
|
Pensions and annuities
Where applicable, we will ask you about any pension or annuities income you receive.
| We will ask about | Evidence |
|---|---|
|
State retirement pension and/or occupational pensions Any annuity income (income received from the annuity rather than the capital value) War Widows/ War Pension Bereavement or inherited pensions Any other pension or annuities received by the applicant Any deferred pensions you are not currently accessing |
|
Benefits
Where applicable, we will ask you about any benefits you receive. We will also access information provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). To confirm your benefit entitlement and ensure an accurate assessment.
| We will ask about | Evidence |
|---|---|
|
Council tax support Housing benefit Industrial injury disablement benefit Armed forces compensation scheme Child benefit War pensions |
|
Income
Where applicable, we will ask you to provide details of any income you receive.
| This could include | Evidence |
|---|---|
|
Rental Income Earnings from employment Lodger income Maintenance payments (spouse) Any other income you receive |
|
Essential Expenditure
Where applicable, we will ask you about any essential expenditure that you pay out on a regular basis.
Some essential expenditure is considered within your financial assessment when we calculate your contribution. We may be able to include property expenses for your main home. This applies if you are receiving care at home, or if your stay in a residential or nursing home is only short-term.
| This could include | Evidence |
|---|---|
|
Mortgage payments Building insurance Rent Council tax Service charge/ground Building maintenance |
|
Gifted or transferred
You will be asked to provide us with information about any property, assets or income you have gifted or transferred.
Where applicable, we will need to know about all gifting or transfers within the last 2 years. Even if they are below the government's limit for tax purposes. If you have previously self-funded your own care, this period could be back to the date your self-funded care started.
For each gift made, please confirm the following and provide any relevant supporting documentation:
- the date and amount of the gift
- the recipient of the gift (name & relationship)
- the reason the gift was made
- the reason that specific amount was gifted
- the reason the gift was made at that particular date
The law says you cannot give away your assets, or sell them for less than they're worth, if you think you're going to need care and support. This applies whether that care is formal, informal, or unpaid, in the community or a care home.
Jointly owned property, savings or assets
The total value of property/savings will usually be divided equally between the relevant legal owners. Where a property is jointly owned only your interest in the property will be included in your assessment.
If a joint bank account is held in two names but the capital in the account belongs to only one person. We will treat the account as that person’s sole account for the purposes of the financial assessment. This means the full balance may be taken into account unless evidence shows it should be divided differently.
Help or Advice
If you have any questions about the evidence required. Please contact us and a member of our team will provide additional support.