One of the first considerations to take into account when looking for home care services is, of course, how much it’s likely to cost and how you’re going to pay for it.
There are various avenues of funding care support available, whether you need help for yourself or for a loved one.
You may, for example, be able to seek financial support from your local authority that can be used to pay for carers, with help available based on how much money you have and what kind of assistance you require.
In order to access this kind of support, you will need to have a care needs assessment carried out and potentially a financial means assessment, as well.
How much does home care cost per hour?
In-home care costs will vary between service providers but, on average, you should expect to pay between £26 and £38 per hour.
What’s good about this kind of care provision is that it can easily be scaled up and down depending on your specific needs and how they evolve over time.
You may find that you only need support for a couple of hours per week if, for example, you’ve just come out of hospital or if you’ve recently been ill. As your needs change with time, care can be tailored to suit, ensuring that you are never left without the necessary support.
How much does live-in care cost?
Again, the costs associated with live-in care will vary depending on what services you require. Typical fees range between £900 and £1,400 per week.
If you have a needs assessment carried out to determine what kind of care you need, the council will also work out how much you need to make in contributions, based on your salary, savings, pensions and benefits.
What benefits are available in the UK to help pay for care?
Attendance allowance
To be eligible for this, you must be over the age of 65, have a physical or mental disability, require some level of care provision and have required this level of care for a minimum of six months.
Personal independence payment
If you’re under state pension age and need long-term care at home because of an illness or disability, you may be able to claim personal independence payments. This is a tax-free, non-means tested benefit available regardless of whether you’re working or not.
To be eligible, you must have needed help with daily tasks such as communicating, eating or getting around for three months. Such difficulties must also be expected to persist for a further nine months at least.
Carer’s allowance
If you provide care for someone for a minimum of 35 hours per week, you could be eligible for carer’s allowance, which amounts to £83.30 per week.
To be eligible, you must be over the age of 16, have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least two of the last three years, not be in full-time education and have earnings of less than £196 after tax, expenses and National Insurance.
