Older people, those with disabilities, and those who care for them often find it difficult to find help with costs or practical support. The following is a brief guide to what help you can get and where you can find it.
Are you caring for someone else? Click thumbnail:
Are you, a family member or friend in a care or nursing home, paying your own fees but running out of money?
Are you, a family member or a friend needing support whatever the setting, including a hospital? You can get an assessment so that you get the right support when you get home.
The Government has set out the Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) guidance and eligibility criteria to ensure that adults seeking support are dealt with fairly. Click thumbnail.
FACS divides eligibility into four bands that describe circumstances when a person’s independence is most at risk.
- Critical
- Substantial
- Moderate
- Low
There are a number of factors taken into account to determine into which of these bands a person’s needs fall. Click thumbnail diagram of assessment process.
West Sussex County Council gives priority to people who are in most urgent need, taking into account existing levels of support. Currently, the Council focuses support on people with Critical, Substantial and Moderate needs where help would prevent further deterioration.
Click thumbnail to see diagram of common problems in accessing services.
The Council operates a nationally determined means test which excludes people over certain financial limits from state support. In the case of residential care, the means test ensures that anyone with capital assets over £23,000 has to pay for care themselves, and are referred to as self-funders. (see link). Below this, they must contribute on a sliding scale, tapering to full payment by the state only when their capital sinks to £13,500.
If your capital is less than the upper limit, but your weekly income is more than your care home fees and the personal expenses allowance of £21.15 added together, you will have to pay the full costs.
Click thumbnail to see further information about care home entitlement.
Click thumbnail for non-care home services:
You may also be eligible for a contribution towards your costs from the NHS, which will provide funding for everyone who is assessed as needing it, whether it is you or the Council who is paying for your care. This is called NHS-funded nursing care (FNC).
This funding is not paid directly to you. The NHS will pay it to the care home either directly or via the Council. The eligibility threshold have been set as follows:
- High: £139-00 per week
- Low / Medium: £101-00 per week.
The rest of the costs, for accommodation and personal care, will still have to be paid by you or the Council.
If you have an ongoing medical condition (s) you should check whether you may be eligible for fully funded NHS Continuing Care.
It is also possible that the help for which you are eligible may change over time. For example, your capital may drop below the upper capital limit or your nursing needs may change.
You may want to make or update a Will. You can also allow one or more people to make decisions for you about your money or personal matters (called a lasting power of attorney LPA). You can speak to a solicitor (who may charge for advice), a citizens advice bureau or a local advice centre for more information.
