Supported living is suited to people who require support to gain more independence to help them live in their own home. Whereas, residential care is better suited for people who require specialist care around the clock.
People in supported living are responsible for their own bills and cost of living. To afford this, the person may be entitled to a wide range of benefits such as:
Housing Benefit (HB)
Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Mobility Allowance
Attendance Allowance (AA.)
Whereas, in residential care, people will receive part of the Personal Independence Payments and some holidays may be included, however, in our recent experience it’s becoming less common.
In supported living, people pay for their own holidays, including additional staff costs. Like anyone else, people in supported living pay their own domestic bills and shopping costs, together with costs incurred by staff in the course of the support they provide – such as bus fares and activities.
Supported living isn’t necessarily more expensive overall, but because families are often involved in seeing and managing the money for the first time, it can look quite alarming to those who have been used to the ‘all-inclusive’ deal in a care home.