Will I have to pay the full cost of my care?

Unfortunately if you have capital assets worth more than £21,000 you will need to pay. If however, your capital is less than this figure, the local authority will pay towards your cost of nursing care. In addition, the NHS will also make a contribution and this is not means tested (see detail below).

Is my home considered an asset?

I am afraid that your home is included in your assets if you live alone or you and your spouse are both moving into a care home. The good news though is that for the first 12 weeks of your stay the local authority will disregard the value of your home. After this period, if you don’t have cash funds available to pay for your care, the local authority may continue to pay. However, this is on the basis that any money paid after the first 12 weeks will be refunded when funds become available, most likely upon sale of the house.

What will the NHS pay?

A resident who needs help from a registered nurse is entitled to a fee contribution from the NHS. This contribution is known as the Registered Nursing Care Contribution (RNCC) and is paid whether you are paying the full cost of care or receiving a contribution from the local authority. The current rate for RNCC is £103.80 per week. The only exception to this principle is where the care required is for an acute need. In such circumstances and, subject to assessment, the NHS will totally fund care. This funding is known as Continuing Care and is not easily available.

Are there any other benefits I can claim?

This is not an easy question to answer since everyone’s circumstances are different. However, it is fairly likely that you will be eligible for Attendance Allowance, which is not means tested.

Attendance Allowance is paid if you need help look after yourself or if you become ill or disabled. The amount paid depends on whether you need care during the day, the night or both and how much your disability affects you.

The current rates are:

High (night time rate) :  £64.50 / week
Low (day time rate)    :  £43.15 / week

To make a claim you will need a claim form which is available from your local social security office or can be downloaded from the Department for Work and Pensions website: www.dwp.gov.uk. It is also available via the links page of our own website.

Do I have to pay anything if the local authority is funding my care?

Unfortunately you will be expected to contribute and the amount will normally be your total weekly income (including any pensions) less £19.40 per week which is allowed for personal expenses.

Is there anywhere I can get more advice?

Paying for nursing care can be quite a complex subject and it is well worth seeking advice in order to make best use of the various funding options. There are a number of services that can help to guide you, such as:

• Social Services
• Benefits Agency
• Age Concern                                0808 808 6060
• Help the Aged                              0808 800 6565
• Counsel and Care                        0845 300 7585
• Saga Care Funding                      0800 056 7585
• Independent Financial Advisers