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There are various forms of funding available towards the costs of care. The Government provides financial assistance, advice and other forms of support to most elderly, sick and disabled people who need help with their personal care or nursing see: www.dh.gov.uk for more information.
Anyone requiring care is legally entitled to an assessment by their local Social Services . It is crucial in most-to-all cases that this assessment is carried out to ascertain the type of care needed and any state support which may be provided. If the assessment confirms that care is required, a means test will be carried out if the local authority is to be considered to provide funding, during which you must disclose full details of your assets.
If you have been prudent and have managed to save for your later years, own your home or have savings, it is likely that you will be liable for the majority of your Long Term Care fees. Broadly speaking, any income the care recipient receives is expected to pay for care home costs, except for a small weekly amount towards personal expenses.
There are two thresholds used for assets: an upper and a lower. Assets include property currently or sometimes previously owned, whether jointly, or as tenants in common to determine if you or Social Services should pay for care and nursing home fees. However, if a spouse or civil partner still lives in the home, it is disregarded. The property value is also disregarded for the first 12 weeks of care.
If the care recipient has assets above the higher threshold they are expected to pay for their care home fees in full. If the care recipient's assets are below the lower threshold, the Local Authority should pay the shortfall after their income and personal expense allowance are taken into account. If assets owned are between the two thresholds they are treated as 'tariff income' of £1 per week for every £250 of assets, that is they are treated as having income which should pay towards care and the personal expense allowance. Scotland also has a non-means tested personal Free Personal Care contribution, although Attendance Allowance is withdrawn if it is being received. |
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England |
Scotland |
Wales |
Northern Ireland |
| Lower Limit |
£14,000 |
£13,750 |
£20,750 |
£14,000 |
| Higher Limit |
£23,000 |
£22,500 |
£22,000 |
£23,000 |
| Personal Expense Allowance Per Week |
£21.90 |
£21.90 |
£22.00 |
£21.90 |
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A Local Authority may exercise its right of investigation to confirm that your home or assets have not been gifted in an attempt at avoiding Care or Nursing Home Fees (known as Deprivation of Assets). They have far reaching powers to recover any assets disposed of in this way, including the right to demand the return of those assets or to treat them as still being in the possession of the care recipient in their means testing and reducing or cancelling the amount they would have otherwise paid if the total of the actual and notional estate is over the thresholds.
Age UK
This is a new force that has combined both Help the Aged and Age Concern and their website has many useful links, factsheets and guidance to help you.
www.ageconcern.org.uk or FREEHONE (0800) 009966
Attendance Allowance
Attendance allowance is a tax free benefit for people over 65 who need help with personal care such as getting in and out of bed, washing, eating, medication or mobility or because they can become confused and need someone to watch over them.
The current rates per week are:
Higher Rate £71.40
Lower Rate: £47.80
Phone your local benefits office or (0845) 7123456 for advice
Benefits Enquiry line
This is a confidential FREEPHONE service for people with disabilities, their representatives and carers.
Phone (0800) 882200
Continuing Care (NHS)
Your every nursing and care need is entitled to be paid for “in any setting”. If following a short clinical assessment, your local health authority agrees your health needs meet their criteria for funding.
Phone NHS Direct on (0845) 4647
Nursing and Personal Care Allowance & Contributions
Current Care Allowance £106.30 – Paid for by your local PCT
Disability Allowance
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Care Component |
Mobility Component |
| Highest Rate |
£71.40 |
£49.85 |
| Medium Rate |
£47.80 |
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| Lower Rate |
£18.95 |
£18.95 |
Personal Allowance (social services funded only)
England - £21.90
Scotland - £21.90
Wales - £22.00
Inheritance Tax Threshold
40% tax rate above £325,000 |
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