Funding Live-in Care in Northumberland

One of the most difficult aspects when considering live-in care for a loved one is figuring out how to meet the financial requirements. Inj Northumberland, there are several ways to fund live-in care, including council funding, NHS continuing healthcare, and private funding. In this article, we will delve into each of these sources of funding, how they work, and how to initiate them.

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Local Authority or Council Funding

Council funding, otherwise known as Local Authority funding, is one of the methods by which you can finance live-in care. In Northumberland, the local authority may contribute towards the cost of care in certain situations see Northumberland Local Authority's information sheet for more information.

The funding process starts with a care needs assessment, which is carried out by the local council. The assessment will determine your eligibility for support based on your health and personal care needs. If the care needs assessment concludes that you have eligible needs, the council then carries out a financial assessment or means test.

The financial assessment takes into account your capital, savings, and income to determine how much you can contribute towards your care. If you have capital above the upper limit (approximately £23,250), you will need to pay for your care. If you have capital below the upper limit but above the lower limit (approximately £14,250), you will need to contribute to the cost of your care, but the council will also provide some funding. If your capital is under the lower limit, the council will pay for your care.

The local authority may also provide direct payments, which are payments made to those who have been assessed as needing support from social services and prefer to organise their care. If you prefer this route, be sure to discuss it with the local authority during your needs assessment.

NHS Continuing Healthcare

NHS Continuing Healthcare(https://primecarers.co.uk/funding-care/nhs-continuing-healthcare) is free healthcare provided outside hospital for those with ongoing health concerns. It is organised and funded by the NHS through local Integrated Commissioning Boards (ICBs). NHS Continuing Healthcare is most relevant to those with a disability, injury, or illness that requires long-term care.

NHS Continuing Healthcare covers the entire cost of your live-in care in Northumberland, including medical care and personal care, and it is not means-tested. To determine eligibility, an NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment will be conducted. Initially, your eligibility will be screened using a checklist tool. If you pass this stage, you'll undergo a full assessment by a multidisciplinary team.

The assessment will determine if your primary need is a healthcare need and if this is the case, you will be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare. You can learn more about NHS Continuing Healthcare in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and North Durham by visiting the site of the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and North Durham integrated commissioning board.

Private Funding or Self-Funding

Another option for funding live-in care in Northumberland is through private funding or self-funding(https://primecarers.co.uk/funding-care/self-funding). This typically involves using savings, selling assets, or using income from pensions or investments to meet the cost of care. It is a practical option for those who do not qualify for council funding or NHS Continuing Healthcare.

Even if you are a self-funder, you are still entitled to request a needs assessment from your local council. This can be beneficial to ascertain the level of care required. Moreover, even as a self-funder, you still can be eligible for certain types of funding like the Attendance Allowance (a non-means tested benefit for those over the age of 65 who need help with personal care due to physical or mental disability).

Ensure that you ask for financial advice before opting for self-funding to understand all your options, the cost of live-in care in Northumberland, and how to plan for care costs in the long term.

When you're seeking live-in care in Northumberland, it's crucial that you're informed about all your options. This includes understanding how to fund care and finding the best live-in carers in Northumberland. By utilising the resources available and seeking advice when necessary, you can make an informed decision that best suits your needs or those of your loved one.