Information for Adults Buying Their Own Support
If you're thinking about buying your own support - this is called self funding- then the information below may help you get what you want. Please click on the links below for more information
- What is a self funder?
- Why is someone called a self funder?
- What help can I receive as a self funder?
- Who do I contact to get help, advice and further information?
What is a self funder?
You may be called a self funder if you can meet the full costs of your social care services without any financial help from us. These services usually relate to residential but may include other services such as home care.
Why am I called a self funder?
We can only provide financial support to you if
- we've assessed you as being eligible for social care services
- you are assessed as unable to pay the full cost of your care.
We follow a financial assessment scheme to work out how much you can pay towards the cost of your care.
If you have more than £22,250 in savings or investments, or your income is enough to cover the cost of your care then you won’t be able to receive financial help with your care costs. You'll have to pay these yourself. This is called self funding.
Some people choose to be self funders because they're independent and prefer not to be financially assessed, or don't want us to help them to decide how their care needs should be met.
What help can I receive as a self funder?
There are a number ways we can help you.
- We can provide you with an assessment of your needs. This'll help you to decide what kind of care will best meet your needs. You may not have to choose residential care as there may be other ways of meeting your needs which can help you to continue to live at home.
- Having an assessment of needs will be helpful if your savings later drop below the savings threshold (currently £22,250) and you then need our financial help. Many people aren't aware of this and worry about what they'll do when their savings run out.
- We'll be able to provide you with advice and guidance and help you to deal with any comments or concerns you're having with your care provider.
- We can arrange for you to have a welfare benefits check to make sure you're receiving the full benefits you're entitled to. Even if you're a self funder you may be eligible to receive Attendance Allowance.
- We can give you advice about other possible help with funding. For example continuing health care where, in certain cases when you've significant health needs, the National Health Service (NHS) might cover the cost of the care. There are strict rules about this type of funding and the final decision rests with the NHS. If you're in a nursing home you may be eligible for funded nursing care and continence aids.
- We also operate a deferred property scheme. If you need residential care and own your own house you can receive an interest free loan to pay your care costs. You then repay this when your house is sold. There are rules you need to meet and further information is available on request. You can’t qualify though if you don’t have an assessment.
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