Paying for Residential Care If you need to go into a care home, and your have capital (savings and assets) are worth more than £22,250(April 08/9) it is likely that you will be expected to fund your own stay without our help. If you think you may need financial help from us we will need to carryout an assessment of your needs. If you are assessed as needing care in a care home a member of staff from the Financial Assessment and Benefit (FAB) Team will contact you (or the person who looks after your finances) to arrange for a visiting officer to call, at a time that suits you. The FAB officer will look at your income and savings and will need to see evidence of these. Everyone will have to make a contribution to his or her care fees. For someone over 60 on Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit) this will normally be £98.60 per week. For someone under 60 or on Income Support this will normally be £63.95. If you have more, the weekly charge will be higher than this. If you have savings of over £22,250 (2008/9) you will have to pay the full cost of the care. Income Most income is taken into account including: * Occupational pensions * State retirement pensions * Income support * Minimum income guarantee * Pension credit * Other state benefits including Attendance Allowance/Disability Living Allowance (care component) * Income from property rental * Annuity income * Income from Trust Funds You will always be left with at least £21.15 per week personal allowance for any personal spending such as the hairdressers, toiletries, items of clothing. The following will not be taken into account: * Disability Living Allowance (mobility component) * Winter Fuel Payments Savings You can only get help with care fees from us if you have less than £22,250 in savings. This includes things like: * Bank and building society accounts * Shares * Premium Bonds * Unit Trusts * PEPs/ISAs * Cash * National Savings Certificates Property The value of your property may be taken into account, unless it is still occupied by a spouse or an elderly or disabled relative. You may still be able to get help with care fees from us if the value of your other savings (money available to you) is less than £22,250. NHS Funded Care in Nursing Homes Self-funding residents in nursing homes are able to request an assessment to obtain NHS funding for the part of their care carried out or overseen by qualified nurses. Once you have signed a consent form, the District Nurse Assessor attached to your doctor’s surgery will arrange to visit you to carry out this assessment. You do not have to have an assessment, but if you choose not to have one, no payments can be made. Following your nursing assessment, you will be placed in one of the three bands depending on the level of care you require, and also the stability and predictability of your nursing need. From 1st November 2007 the rate is £101 per week When to contact North Somerset Council for help with care fees It is very important that when your savings get near to the threshold amount you contact us as soon as possible on 01275 888 801. You may be able to get some help with care fees at this time. Independent Financial Advice All residents are advised to take independent financial advice, as there may be several different ways of funding care available. Examples of independent advisors: Age Concern 01934 624 360 www.ageconcernsomerset.org.uk Citizens Advice Bureau 0870 121 2017 www.northsomersetcab.org Help the Aged 020 7278 1114 www.helptheaged.org.uk The Nursing Home Fees Agency (provide free advice and information on obtaining and paying for care) Old Bank House 95 London Road Headington OXFORD OX3 9AE 01865 733 001 www.nhfa.co.uk For more information about this, or other help that is available contact North Somerset Care Connect 01275 888 801 This publication is available in large print, Braille or audio formats on request. Help is also available for people who require council information in languages other than English. Please contact 01275 882 181. 1