CARE HOMES

You will qualify for full state funding if you have less than £14,250 in savings, and you are on a low income.

Your care funding will be the responsibility of the Local Authority and they will obtain any benefits to which you may be entitled, however entitlement to Attendance Allowance will cease after 28 days.

As stated before you must contact Social Services before moving into a home as they will need to carry out a needs assessment and financial assessment, and it can not be assumed you will meet the criteria.

The rate the Local Authority pays is often lower than the rates charged by care home providers. If you choose to live in a home where the fees are higher than the Local Authority are prepared to pay, (See Local Rates) you will need a third party sponsor (Usually a family member) to make up the difference or top up. It is not uncommon for a Top-Up payment to be between £40 and £60 per week.

You will be allowed to retain £22.30per week of your income for personal expenses. However if you have savings above £14,250 and below £23,250, you will be required to make a contribution of £1 per week for every £250 of savings between these values. For example if you have savings of £15,000, you will have to pay £3.00 per week.

The Care system has become very complex and is subject to change. For the latest information regarding eligibility criteria and what you may be asked to pay please click on the links below:-

Fair Access to Care - Stoke on Trent City Council

Services at Home and in the Community - Staffordshire County Council