If you are unable to live independently in your own home, even with extra support. You may need to consider residential care. Before funding can be considered, we must perform a care needs assessment. To confirm that residential care is the most appropriate way to meet your eligible needs.
When you enter residential accommodation, you are required to contribute towards the cost of your accommodation, depending on the length of your stay and your ability to pay.
In general, care falls into two categories:
- temporary or short term care /Respite residential care is any stay in residential care up to 52 weeks, where you intend to return to your home.
- permanent or long-term placements are provided when you require ongoing care in residential accommodation.
There are residential care homes across Lincolnshire which will meet different care and living needs. The Lincolnshire Care Services Directory can help you in your search for care and support in Lincolnshire.
To find out more about care homes and the standards you should expect, visit the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website. The CQC is an independent inspectorate for all health and social care in England. This includes care homes and home care services.
How much will I have to pay
Following your care needs assessment, if you want to request financial help toward the cost of your care, you will need to complete a Financial Assessment. This assessment will ask for details about your income, including any pensions and state benefits you receive, as well as any assets you own.
The financial assessment will work out the maximum amount you can afford to pay towards your residential care based on your personal finances. If you qualify for funding, we will work out how much you will have to pay towards the costs. This is based on your income and capital.
If you have more than £23,250 in capital (including savings, investments, land, or property other than your main home). You will usually be responsible for paying the full cost of your residential care.
Should your capital reduce to close to the limit due to care costs. You can apply for funding assistance later if you still meet the criteria for residential care.
If you have to live in a registered nursing home and need nursing care, the NHS will contribute towards the cost of your care.
Do I have any choice over the costs of my care
As part of your care planning, your key worker will discuss the type of accommodation that will meet your needs. Ensuring that at least one option available to you is affordable within your budget.
Where you have been assessed as requiring a certain type of accommodation you have the right to exercise choice between providers in certain circumstances. Which includes anyone who is receiving aftercare services under the Mental Health Act.
If you choose a care home that charges above our expected costs, then a 3rd party top up may be required. This will cover the difference between our expected costs and the actual cost of the home and must be paid by a third party.
In certain circumstance you can pay your own first party top up. These are limited to
- during any 12-week property disregard period
- if you have made a Deferred Payment Application
- you are exempt care charges due to receiving care under section 117 of the Mental Health Act or as a result of contracting CJD
Personal Expense Allowance (PEA)
Before any charges are made towards the cost of your care home, we need to ensure you are left with a minimum amount of income. This is known as the Personal Expense Allowance (PEA). And is set nationally each year by the Department of Health and Social Care. This is to ensure that you have money to spend as you wish on personal items such as clothes and other items that are not part of your care.
Will my home count as part of the financial assessment
For a temporary stay the value of your main or only home is not included in the calculations. As the intention is that you will return home. You will be allowed additional expenses to maintain your home during your temporary residential care stay.
If you are moving into a care home on a permanent basis, the value of your home will be included in your financial assessment calculation, unless any of the following apply:
- your husband, wife, partner or former partner continues to live there, except where they were estranged since before you went into a care home
- a close relative aged 60 or over continues to live there
- a lone parent who is the person's estranged or divorced partner continues to live there
- a relative under 60 who is incapacitated, and receives certain disability allowances continues to live there
- a child under 18 for whom you are financially responsible continues to live there.
To make sure you have enough time to make the right decision about moving into a residential care home we can allow up to 12 weeks at the start of permanent / long-term care where the value of your home is not considered. This is called the 12 week property disregard period.
Managing Finances When a Spouse Moves to Permanent Care
When a partner moves into permanent residential care, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) no longer consider you a "couple" for benefit purposes. Because you are now living apart, you must be reassessed as two single individuals. You should report any change of circumstances to the Department for Work and Pensions as soon as possible. Your benefits will be reviewed to ensure you are financially independent.
You should also consider ways to maximise your income by checking the benefits and financial support you can get on GOV.UK