While NHS healthcare is free at the point of use, this is not the case for social care, a term that covers a range of different services, including help with getting dressed and bathing, help with financial management, housework and shopping, support in nursing homes, help with maintaining and improving independence, support with social activities and so on.
Such services can be provided by local councils, private care providers or the NHS, but regardless of which avenue of support you choose, it’s important to know how to go about funding social care and what you might be eligible for.
Social care eligibility
If you want to make use of publicly funded social care resources, you will need to have a needs assessment and a means test carried out. Only people who have the highest level of needs and the lowest financial assets will likely be eligible – and if you have assets of over £23,250, you will have to pay for social care yourself.
If you’re below this asset threshold, contributions will be made on a sliding scale between yourself and the government. If you have complex chronic health requirements, however, the NHS may also contribute to the support you receive.
Needs assessment
Get in touch with your local council if you want to have a free needs assessment carried out. This will help the authorities see what kind of services you require, such as personal alarms, mobility aids and equipment, home adaptations, practical help from a paid carer, respite care, access to day centres, moving a care home and so on.
During the assessment, a social worker or occupational therapist will get in touch to find out how you manage every day tasks. This is your opportunity to provide as much information as possible about your needs and the support you help, so make sure you provide as much detail as possible. It can be helpful to write down what you want to say beforehand.
Means test
A means test is a free financial assessment that’s conducted to work out if the council will help you fund your care. As a general rule of thumb, the more money you have, the more you’ll be expected to pay. This assessment is carried out after your needs assessment or carer’s assessment has been conducted.
A council representative will get in touch to discuss your earnings, your pensions, savings, benefits (including PIP and/or attendance allowance) and any property you have, including any sites overseas.
Note that if the council believes you may have reduced your wealth deliberately, such as by spending money or giving property away, it may prevent you from accessing financial support.
You are also able to appeal the results of both your means test and your needs assessment, if you don’t feel as though you’ve been considered fairly or appropriately.
If you’d like to find out more about social care funding and supported living, get in touch with the Concept Care team today.
