0800 994 9041 GO About Us Our Care Our Care Homes Latest News Lifestyle Join Our Team Make an Enquiry News & Events Ways to pay for care for your loved one If your loved one needs to go into care, you may be understandably worried about how you are going to afford to pay for it. Most people are expected to pay at least something towards the cost of their care, although the situation will be different depending on what your loved one has saved over the years. Here’s what you need to know. Deciding if they are eligible for funding To decide how much you or your loved one are going to need to contribute to their care, there is a process to go through with your local authority. This process involves four main steps: Care Needs Assessment: Your local authority will assess your loved one’s state of health and the type of care they need Care Plan: Based on the care assessment, your local authority will then make recommendations about your loved one's needs and whether they need residential care Personal Budget: Your local authority will work out a budget to help your loved one get the care they need Means Test: Your local authority will review your loved one’s financial situation to decide how much they should pay towards their care If the needs assessment and plan points to permanent residential care as being the best option for your loved one, the means test will decide whether the council is going to pay anything towards your loved ones care. In general, if your loved one has more than £23,250 in capital (that’s savings, shares and property) they will have to pay for everything themselves. If they have between £14,250 and £23,250 in capital, they will need to pay something towards their care, as determined by the local authority. Under £14,250 is ignored for this means test. Income is also included in the calculations, which can encompass pension income as well as welfare benefits. Usually, the amount your loved one needs to pay should leave them with a minimum of £24.90 per week, known as their Personal Expenses Allowance. Self-funding long-term care If your loved one doesn’t qualify for long term care funding, they will need to work out a plan to help them pay for their care going forward. To help them with this you should: Check they are receiving all the benefits and funding they are entitled to, which may have changed since their care assessment Look at downsizing or selling their home – your local authority may cover care costs for up to 12 weeks until their house is sold Consider equity release to obtain an income for care from the house sale You could also consider buying into an immediate needs care payment plan, which like an annuity provides an income for life which can be used to pay for care. It’s a good idea to get a specialist financial adviser involved at this stage, as the different options can be confusing to negotiate. At Westgate Healthcare, we develop a tailored care plan based on your loved one’s individual needs and can work with you to develop a plan and room options that suit not only their needs but your budget too. Talk to us for more advice on paying your fees and the options available to you. Arrange a Visit Read more posts Share this page: Westgate Healthcare Celebrates Positive Ratings Westgate Healthcare are celebrating after all of our care homes in Hertfordshire, Essex and Buckingh... READ MORE Westgate Healthcare Unit 3 Devonshire Business Park Chester Road, Borehamwood WD6 1NA Tel: 020 8953 7600 Our Homes Ashview Nursing Home Byron House Care Home Chestnut Manor Care Home Hampden Hall Care Centre Kingfisher Nursing Home Riverdale Care Home St Pauls Care Centre Westgate House Care Centre Counties Care homes in Essex Care homes in Hertfordshire Care homes in Buckinghamshire Terms | Compliments and Complaints | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy Accuracy of information While the information on this website is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information. The information may change without notice and Westgate Healthcare is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information presented or in any way interpreted and used by a user.