Funding Live-in Care in West Sussex

If you or a loved one require live-in care in West Sussex, understanding how to fund it can significantly reduce your worries. Financing long-term care is an essential aspect to consider, and it is crucial to be aware of all available options. Several funding sources are available that can help cover these costs - from council funding, NHS continuing care, and private funding. This article aims to provide you a comprehensive guide on how these funding options work as well as what steps you need to take to access them.

Live-in Care in West Sussex

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Council Funding

Suppose you are a resident of West Sussex and have an assessed need for care. In that case, the West Sussex local authority may be able to provide funding under specific conditions. More details about this can be found directly here.

To qualify for the Council fund, a care need assessment followed by a financial assessment will be conducted. Care needs assessment is first carried out to evaluate the support required. This evaluation is completely based on your care needs rather than your financial situation which aims to understand the care and support needs fully.

After the care needs assessment, a financial assessment (also referred to as a "means test") will take place. This will take into account your income, savings, and assets. If your capital and savings are over £23,250, you will be expected to pay the full cost of your care. If your capital and savings are between £14,250 and £23,250, the local council will fund some of your care, and you'll contribute to the rest. If your capital and savings are under £14,250, you might be entitled to maximum funding from the council.

NHS Continuing Care

The National Health Service (NHS) also provides continuing healthcare packages for those with complex health needs. Instead of Clinical Care Groups (CCGs), West Sussex is part of the Sussex and East Surrey Integrated Commissioning Boards (ICBs). The ICBs will assess a patient's need for ongoing care. Details on NHS continuing healthcare given by the ICB can be found here.

NHS continuing healthcare is a free package of care for people with significant ongoing healthcare needs. It's funded and arranged by the NHS, and it's carried out at home, in a care home, or in a hospital.

In order to be eligible for this, a healthcare professional will need to carry out an initial screening, using a 'Checklist tool'. If this Checklist suggests that you might be eligible, another more detailed assessment will be carried out. The assessment will consider nature, complexity, intensity and unpredictability of your needs. If you qualify for NHS continuing healthcare, the NHS will pay for healthcare (e.g. services from a community nurse or specialist therapist) and personal care (e.g. help with bathing, dressing and laundry).

Private Funding

Private funding is another option available to individuals who may not qualify for Council funding or NHS continuing healthcare. Here, individuals fund their care from their own resources. Factors such as savings, pensions, investments and home equity can be used to cover the costs. You may wish to take advice from a financial advisor who specialises in long-term care funding to help decide the best approach in your situation. More detailed insights on self-funding can be found in the Complete Guide to Self-Funding Care.

Private funding provides flexibility, offering you more choice when it comes to the location and type of care that you want to receive. However, it’s essential to plan your finances carefully to ensure your resources can provide for the length of time you may need care. If you're thinking about paying for a live-in carer privately, it's a good idea to research what the going rate is in your area to budget adequately. Our guide 'Cost of Live-in Care in West Sussex' provides more details and context for those interested in privately paying for care in this region here.

If you are considering finding a live-in carer privately, you can take a look at Find Live-in Care in West Sussex and Best Live-in Carers in West Sussex. These resources will help you find the best fit for your needs in your local area.

Knowing and understanding your options for care funding can help you make the best decisions for your situation. It’s a complex area, but with the right information, it's possible to navigate and secure the care that you or your loved ones need. For a more comprehensive look at what live-in care entails, you might find it beneficial to read our Complete Guide to Live-in Care.