Each individual’s needs are different and that is why we arrange to meet you and discuss with you what your needs are and the services which we offer to help support your independence. This may vary from an hour call a week to 24-hour care at home. We will then provide you with a weekly cost. Some people will be entitled to assistance with the cost of their care. There are several options available for funding care and these options depend upon your need for care and support as well as personal and financial circumstances. In this post, we will discuss how you can apply for home care, as well as how much the funding for this service will cost.
Where Can I Get Help
There are many different ways that our clients pay for their support. Depending on your circumstances, you may benefit from Local Authority funding or you may need, or wish to pay for the care and support yourself.
If you are funding your care yourself you can contact Nested Support directly. If your care is funded partly or fully by your local authority you will need to contact them and request an assessment.
Funding
The cost of care depends on the individual’s needs and the services which they require. This can be paid for by the local authority or by the individual.
Local authority funding comes into effect if the person needing care has less than £23,250 in savings. As mentioned above if this is the case for you, the first step is to ask your local Adult Social Services department to arrange a Community Care Assessment. If then you are deemed eligible to receive council-supported care services, the local authority will decide a budget based upon your care needs.
The maximum funding granted for home care services varies from one authority to another. However, commonly it is unlikely to cover the full hourly cost of a quality home care service provider such as Nested Support.
In these circumstances, as a result of a Government initiative to give individuals greater choice, you are now able to take control of your budget and top-up the hourly cost. This route is called Direct Payments and is designed to allow people greater control and choice over the care services they receive. To find out more about Direct Payments follow this link.
Self and Part Funded Care
Whether you are funding your care yourself or are receiving funding from the local authority and are interested in toping this up, Nested Support can provide a range of specialist services.
A number of our clients receive funding from the local authority for their care and they choose to ‘top-up’ the support they receive by paying for the little extra things themselves that are not provided by the local authority. At Nested Support, our services greatly enhance your independence and quality of life.
Some of our privately paying clients who are over 65, claim Attendance Allowance which is non-means tested and can be used to pay for home care.
We can offer guidance about your funding options as well as information about your Local Authority.
Funded Care
If your savings exceed £23,250 you will not receive any financial help. However, if your savings are between £14,250 and £23,250, £1 income for every £250 between these amounts is assumed. Also, as part of your financial assessment any mortgage, rent and expense due to disability etc. are all taken into consideration as well. Finally, the value of your property is not included in the assessment for home care services as you will not be asked to sell your property to fund your care. This, however, is not the case for services in a care home setting.
Personal Health Budgets
Personal health budgets are funded by the NHS and not the Local Authority. These can be used to implement a care and support plan that is agreed between the individual and their local NHS teams. They often offer greater control over your care needs if your needs are considered to be health-related as opposed to purely social.
Once a care and support plan has been agreed, the individual can either manage their budget themselves or they can opt for the NHS team or a third party to manage it for them.
If managing their budget, they will receive Direct Payments to spend on healthcare services they have chosen and arranged themselves. Alternatively, the NHS team or a third party will support them to identify the services they need, then arrange and pay for them on their behalf. Personal health budgets are fully funded by the NHS and cannot be ‘topped up’.
Summary
Whether your needs are health-related or social, whether you are self-funding or part funding your care, Nested Support is able to offer a range of services. Our specialist GP led services will ensure your independence at your own home and greatly improve your quality of life. Please use the link below to get in touch to find out more.
