Care at home (also known as in-home care, home care, or domiciliary care) is when a carer will come to your home for a set period of time or even a few times throughout the day (commonly as a ‘visit’).
Following a care needs assessment, if you do not qualify for local authority funding, you may need to pay for the full cost of the care at home yourself (known as ‘self funding’). This can vary depending on where you live within the UK.
Financial thresholds for self funding care at home
Self funding threshold in England
If you live in England and have capital of more than £23,250, you’ll be required to use this to pay the entire cost of care in your own home.
Equally, if you have less than £23,250 in capital, but a weekly income considered high enough to cover the cost of your care, you’ll be responsible for paying the full care at home cost.
Questions about funding care?
Call us for your free consultation with one of our friendly UK care experts. If you need further support, our Care Concierge service is on hand to provide guidance on typical care costs, help you explore your funding and benefit options, or even negotiate care fees on your behalf.
Find out how Care Concierge can help you, or call now on freephone:
(Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
Self funding threshold in Wales
Generally speaking, in Wales you’ll be expected to self-fund the full amount of your care at home costs in Wales if you have £40,000 or more in savings and assets.
Self funding threshold in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, local trusts tend not to charge for care at home services although the threshold can be means-tested, meaning you may have to pay for some services. However, no one over the age of 75 is required to pay for care in their own home.
Self funding threshold in Scotland
If you live in Scotland and are over 65, you are entitled to full funding towards personal care (regardless of savings or assets) if you are assessed as needing it, so should not need to self fund your care.
People in Scotland of any age can access free nursing care, as long as you’ve been assessed as requiring nursing care support – this is generally allocated through your local GP.
How do I access free support?
Regardless of your income, you may be entitled to some free care and support.
For example, you could qualify for:
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Specialist equipment or home adaptations costing less than £1,000
- NHS care in the form of:
- continuing healthcare
- nursing care
- post-discharge care
Summary
How much does care at home cost?
Across the UK, the average hourly cost of care at home is £15, according to the Money Advice Service. This works out to £11,000 per year, based on 14 hours of care per week.
The amount of funding that you will receive for care and the specific costs will change significantly depending on the country you live in and your specific circumstances.
Do I have to pay for care at home myself if I don’t qualify for local authority funding?
If you do not qualify for local authority funding, you may need to pay for the full cost of care at home yourself (known as ‘self funding’).
Questions about funding care?
Call us for your free consultation with one of our friendly UK care experts. If you need further support, our Care Concierge service is on hand to provide guidance on typical care costs, help you explore your funding and benefit options, or even negotiate care fees on your behalf. Find out how Care Concierge can help you, or call us now on freephone:
0800 098 8299 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
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