If you have investments and/or savings of more than £23,250 you will pay for your own home care. If you have between £14,250 and £23,250 we may be able to make a contribution to your care fees. If you have less than £14,250 this amount will not be included in your financial assessment. The council will pay for your care. However, you may still need to make a financial contribution which will be based on your income.
If you are assessed to be eligible for care and support services in the home following an adult care needs assessment we will work out how much it will cost.
Most people pay for some, or all, of their care costs. No-one is asked to pay more towards their care than their financial assessment shows they can afford.
Services you may pay for
Depending on your financial circumstances we may be able to make a contribution towards the cost of your support. Support at home or non-residential support can include:
- home support, day or night
- community support
- day service activities
- Shared Lives Scheme
- respite care
Support you don't pay for
You will not be asked to pay towards the following support:
- time-limited care e.g. following an illness or stay in hospital
- equipment available on loan following an assessment
- minor adaptations to your home costing less than £1000
- support received as an unpaid carer
- aftercare received under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983
- if you need high levels of health care, you may be able to get your full care costs paid for by the NHS under the criteria for continuing health care
Financial assessment
The Care Act 2014 statutory guidance requires local authorities to have a policy which sets out how people with care and support needs that are met in the community are charged for their care. The Adult Social Care Charging Policy (PDF 238KB), following the Care Act 2014, means that no one will pay more than they can afford towards their support.
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Find out more about financial thresholds and financial assessment
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Find out more about benefits at www.gov.uk
Once the amount you need to pay has been worked out, you will receive a letter that explains how it was worked out and how much you will have to pay.
Direct Payments
If you choose to manage your care and support yourself using Direct Payments you will receive the money to meet your care costs, minus your ‘maximum weekly contribution’.
For example, if your support costs £48 per week and your ‘maximum weekly contribution’ is £28 per week, we will pay £20 into your dedicated Direct Payments bank account, and you will deposit your contribution of £28 into the same account. You will then pay your provider/s directly when you are invoiced by them.
Changes to your financial situation
If the council is contributing to the cost of your care you must tell us as soon as possible if the amount of your income or capital increases or decreases significantly during the year.
If you are a self-funder and your capital is likely to reduce to £23,250, you must let us know well in advance. We recommend contacting us when your capital is approximately £28,000 so we can discuss planning ahead.
We recommend contacting us when your capital is approximately £28,000.
Contact us about approaching funding threshold - online form
Telephone: : 0345 045 5202
9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
