Many people believe that receiving a bespoke care-at-home service is beyond their financial means, but you may be able to access funding support to help you receive the care you need. Below are a few options you can consider.
Public Funding
You may be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Government to help cover the cost of your care. You have the right to request a free care assessment from your local Social Services department. This can include a community care assessment and a means-tested financial assessment to determine if you qualify for support with the cost of your care.
Direct Payments
If you have been assessed as needing care services, you may be offered direct payments. Under this arrangement, your local council will make monetary payments directly to you, allowing you to organize and pay for your care service. These payments are designed to help you remain living at home, promoting independence and social inclusion in areas such as employment, education, and leisure activities.
The Government is working to increase the number of people receiving direct payments, enabling more individuals to access the benefits they provide. If you are eligible for funding support, your local council is required to consider direct payments as an option for you, rather than providing services directly.
Here are some frequently asked questions about direct payments:
What are the benefits of Direct Payments?
The direct payment system allows you to:
- Have greater control over the type of care you receive.
- Decide who provides your care.
- Arrange services and staff at times that suit your lifestyle.
- Choose whether to employ an agency or your own staff.
How do I know if I am eligible?
Your first step should be to contact your local social services, who will send a social worker to assess your care needs. If they determine that you are eligible for support, you can then request direct payments to purchase your own care instead of receiving services directly from social services.
Eligible individuals include:
- Older and disabled people aged 16 and over who have been assessed as needing care.
- A person with parental responsibility for a child assessed as needing care.
- Carers aged 16 and over.
What if I am unable to manage a direct payment on my own?
Social services can offer support to help you set up and manage your care. They may provide their own support services or refer you to a local support group. They can also arrange temporary care while you organize your own. Services may include access to a list of local domiciliary care providers or advice on employing your own staff. You can also choose a responsible individual, such as a close friend or relative, to help you manage the direct payment scheme.
What if the care I need costs more than the value of my direct payment?
Since you are effectively purchasing your own services, you can add your own funds to your direct payment to cover additional costs. This allows you to choose the provider you prefer and access services beyond those specified in your care assessment, if desired.
For more information on direct payments, contact your local social services or visit The DoH Easy Guide to Direct Payments.
Independent Living Fund
Funded by Central Government, the Independent Living Fund supports people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes rather than in residential care.
Payments are made to individuals with disabilities to help cover the employment costs, or associated costs, of a personal assistant or care agency. This enables them to receive the support they need to remain at home. However, there are restrictions on what the fund can be used for. To learn more about these limitations, visit the Government website.
Private Funding
If you are not eligible for public funding or prefer to fund your care privately, you will need to arrange your care independently. With so many options and conflicting information available, this can be a time-consuming and overwhelming process.
If you need support with financial planning, we recommend contacting an impartial Financial Advisor specializing in Care Fees. They can discuss options such as:
- Equity Release
- Funding Care Fees
- Estate Preservation
- Wealth Preservation
Supporting You in Your Home
Whether your care is funded privately or through public funds, Ilays Homecare can deliver a high-quality, tailored homecare service to meet your individual needs. If you would like a quote for our care-at-home service based on your specific requirements, please contact us.