16th September 2021

Article 2/2 – Private Care

Funding your care

Care can be funded using Various methods: - It could be funded privately or publicly.

Based In England:

Local authorities in England are legally obliged to carry out a care needs assessment to establish the type and amount of care you need. However, you`ll also have to undertake a means test to decide who pays your care fees.

To meet their legal obligations, your local authority must:

• Conduct a needs assessment to establish your eligible needs

• Complete a financial assessment to find out what level of support they`ll provide, and

• Provide information and advice on how your care needs can be met.

There are similar arrangements that apply for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. And, in Northern Ireland, it`s the local health and social care trust that will carry out your social care needs assessment.

What is private care?

Private care is care that is paid for out of pocket, privately, or by a long-term care policy. Private care is not limited by insurance restrictions or requirements. However in some cases it may be paid for by your insurance dependent on what led you to require the care and how long you need it for.

It may include the services a patient or family want, and may be long- or short-term. You may require care because you have recently had an operation, come out of hospital or had an accident. (Depending on where you live, if have recently come out of hospital and been assessed as requiring care. You may be discharged with a 6 weeks` package of care paid for by your local authority or the hospital in order to aid your recovery (dependent on local authority).

In most cases, you may not require care after your initial period has elapsed. However, if you still think that you/your loved still requires care, an assessment will be completed and dependent on your circumstances you may have to pay for part of or all of your care.

You will not be entitled to help with the cost of care from your local council if:

You have savings worth more than £23,250

• You own your own property (this only applies if you`re moving into a care home)

• You can ask your council for a financial assessment (means test) to check if you qualify for any help with costs.

Financial assessment further Information - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/financial-assessment-means-test/

You can:

• Arrange and pay for care yourself without involving the council.

• Ask the council to arrange and pay for your care (the council will then bill you, but not all councils offer this service and they may charge a fee). 

What you can get for free

• You might be able to get some free help regardless of your income or if you`re paying for your care.

This can include:

• Small bits of equipment or home adaptations that each cost less than £1,000

• NHS care, such as NHS continuing healthcare, NHS-funded nursing care and care after you have been discharged from hospital. 

(Faith`s walk specialises in both Private and public care provision)