From January 2023, North Yorkshire County Council will introduce a new £86,000 cap on the amount anyone in England will have to spend on their personal care over their lifetime. The cap will apply irrespective of a person’s age or income. The legislative framework for a cap is already provided by the Care Act 2014, but the relevant provisions are not currently in force.
Only money spent on meeting a person’s personal care needs will count towards the cap. Spending on daily living costs (commonly referred to as “hotel costs” in a care home) is not included. The Government has said daily living costs will be set at £200 per week.
The cap will not apply retrospectively (i.e. costs accrued before June 2023 will not count towards the cap).
Any money paid by a local authority towards meeting a person’s eligible care needs will not count towards the cap.