The government is changing the way that care funding is distributed. There is still the stipulation that if you have assets of over 23,500 pounds that you have to pay the fees in full, but there is different ways of receiving help. One thing that might help, is the fact that if your partner or a close relative is living in your home, then it is not included as being part of your assets.
The first part of the Care Act came into force in 2015, and means that people can receive a lot of help from both local council, and national government.
Some of the ways that the Care Act might affect you are as follows:
* You have the right to get a free needs assessment from your council
* If you are receiving social care support, then you have the right to request a personal budget breakdown from the council. It will help you see how much the council thinks that you should have to pay for care.
* There are new national eligibility criteria, which give the councils an idea whether people deserve help.
* If your needs assessment reveals that you don’t qualify for financial help from the council, then the council have to give you advice about paying for care, and the care system itself.
* You have the option of delaying the sale of your home, in order to pay care fees, until after your own death.
* If you are paying for your own care, you can still ask the council to arrange the services that you want to receive. They can’t charge you any more than a client receiving help with care fees.
* If you are caring for someone, then you are entitled to ask for a care assessment from the local council.
* There is help available for those who might find it difficult to communicate or understand the issues discussed. The council is to provide a advocate to represent you, if there isn’t a friend or family member available to come with you.
* Your local council must provide services which will reduce or delay the likelihood of you needing to receive care. If you have been in hospital, for example, then they are supposed to arrange for you to receive some care in your own home, which will mean that you are able to keep your independence.
(Information correct as of 26th February 2016, and referenced on Age UK website)
If you have found this article to be interesting and informative, and now want to receive care, then you need to contact Ginger Homecare, a long standing care service based in Preston/Leyland but covering various places within the Ribble Valley.
We always aim to deliver excellent customer service and individual care with no exception.
Contact Ginger Homecare on
Call: 01772 461202
Or: 01772 463097
Contact: gingercare@hotmail.co.uk
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