Home Care Funding

About Home Care Funding

Funding Assessment

Funding Payments

Home Care Funding & Support

When it comes to home care, there can often be a certain amount of worry surrounding its funding. At Alcester Home Care we work to ensure our home care remains as affordable as possible, but we are also dedicated to maintaining an excellent quality of service to give you or your loved one the care they deserve.

For this reason, we stress the importance of researching whether you qualify for home care funding support, and have created this funding page to offer advice and guidance. Funding support for home care is regulated by your local authority or by the NHS, this means you will need to make an application directly to them. We are unable to process or submit applications, however, we can offer support and advice to assist with your application.

Lady with glasses in living room
Man and woman

What is Home Care Funding & Support?

The cost of home care can be covered by three separate means, these are:

  • Paid for in full by the person being cared for (or friends/family), this is known as self-funded.
  • Paid for, partially or in full, by the local authority (council).
  • Paid for, partially or in full, by the NHS.

When considering home care funding and support, we refer to contributions or full payment by local authorities or the NHS. The level of support you will receive is calculated on a case-by-case basis, but it generally considers the care that is required and your finances (including savings, benefits, earnings, pension, and property).

The financial assessment is free and follows a needs assessment or a carers assessment.

The Home Care Funding Assessment

When making an application to check if you are entitled to funding support, you will be required to make a financial declaration. This will usually be done through a financial assessment which is regulated by your local authority or by the NHS.

Generally, any funding and support can be calculated using the guide below. Please bare in mind that this is a guide only and funding and support is calculated based on your individual case.

Your Finances Support You Could Be Entitled To
Capital over £23,250 Unfortunately, you will not be entitled to any funding support.
Capital between £14,250 & £23,250 You may be entitled to partial support, but you will still be required to contribute to home care funding. You will also be required to pay a “tariff income” based on your capital.
Capital of less than £14,250 You may be entitled to home care financial support and will still be required to contribute to the support. You will not be required to pay a “tariff income”.

“Tariff Income” is based on your capital over the value of £6000. It is calculated to be of a value of £1 for every £250 in capital you have (over £6000). For example, if your capital is £8000, your tariff income is £8.

How The Council Pays For & Arranges Your Care.

If you qualify for home care funding contribution and support from your local authority, you will receive a personal budget. This budget is created as an agreement between yourself and your local authority and will be a reflection of your financial assessment and your current care needs.

You can choose how to receive this budget from a selection of three methods, or choose to mix them.

  • A direct payment made into your bank account, intended for certain care services. Typically, the local authority will require receipts to verify that the funds are being used for care purposes.
  • The local authority directly coordinates and finances your care services, handling payments to your care providers on your behalf.
  • A chosen home care organisation, like an individual service fund, oversees the management of your personal budget.
Older man

Funding Payments To Alcester Home Care

We strive to make our valuable services as accessible as possible. If you qualify for home care funding and support, we are able to accept payment in two ways. This can be arranged in conjunction with your funding to create the most appropriate plan for you.

You will have the choice of:

  • Making a payment to us from your bank account, suitable if you choose to have funding payments deposited directly into your bank account.
  • Choosing Alcester Home Care as your home care organisation and arranging for your local authority or the NHS to manage your care plan and pay us directly.

It is important to conduct thorough research before making choices regarding home care, and although we are on hand to offer advice, it is a decision that is personal to you and your situation.

Home Care Funding FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions regarding the funding and support for home care. You may also find useful answers on our dedicated FAQs page.

Funding for home care is available in certain circumstances to cover the full or partial costs of home care. There are three main ways in which home care can be paid for, two of which are through funding by either your local authority or the NHS.

It is possible for some people to access support to cover some or all of the cost of home care services, however, this is entirely dependant on your needs and your individual situation.

To find out whether you qualify for home care funding you can begin the application by completing a needs assessment or a carers assessment.

Your individual circumstances will dictate the level of funding you receive, but a rough guide can be found in the “Funding Assessment” section of this page.

In most cases, you will be required to contribute to some degree towards your home care services.

Yes, if you are entitled to funding, we can advise you on how to arrange payment for our services. We encourage research into funding for all of our customers to make sure they are taking advantage of any support they are entitled to.

To initial a home care funding application you will be required to complete a care needs assessment if applying through your local authority, or apply for NHS Continuing Health Care.

A council application will involve an assessment of your needs and your financial status – you must have less than £23,250 in savings to be eligible. Based on this result, the council will determine the amount they will pay towards your home care. Local authorities and councils will usually only cover a portion of your total home care costs.

NHS funding is usually more comprehensive, however, the application must satisfy more complex requirements. The NHS will also assess your condition, determining whether your condition requires substantial ongoing primary care needs – this means the care required must be a direct result of your health. To apply for NHS care funding, speak to your GP, nurse or healthcare advisor.

Home care funding is available for all home care services, however, the degree of funding is entirely dependent on your individual circumstances. Most NHS funding will only be available for care services that cover medical needs.

To determine your eligibility for home care funding assistance you will need to discuss your personal circumstances and needs with either your local authority or with your nurse, GP, or healthcare advisor.

Home care funding varies from case to case, depending on a number of factors including your savings, current financial support, and health care needs.

There are currently no health insurance providers that cover the cost of long-term health care, including home care.

It is normal for in-home care to be funded by (partially or in full) privately. The portion of home care funding that is self-funded can be paid for in a way that best suits the individual.

A care assessment evaluates your health and personal care needs to determine what type of support is required and whether you qualify for funding. This assessment is usually carried out by a healthcare professional or social worker. In most cases, there will be a contribution towards home care funding, however, the remaining costs will have to be sourced privately.

If your application for funding is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. Reach out to the funding agency to understand the reason for denial, and follow their appeals process. You may also seek help from an advocate or legal advisor familiar with care funding.

What our clients and their families say

Alcester Home Care provided care for my dad for just over 2 years. It allowed us to keep him safely at home for as long as possible. Dad was reluctant to accept help at first but the carers were friendly and encouraged his independence where possible so he soon grew to appreciate their visits and it provided us with great comfort to know he had regular checks from professional carers. This was particularly helpful during the lockdown period, we would have struggled to keep him safe and healthy without them.

Rachael J (Daughter of Client), 14 July 2022

My sister-in-law was able to stay in her own home for longer than expected due to the carers who went three times a day. Carers gave her practical help and a friendly chat when she became anxious which my sister-in-law and I much appreciated.

J A (Sister-in-law of Client), 6 July 2022

Our Partners

Alzheimer's Society
Homecare logo
Homecare
Homecare Association
Skills for care
care certificate
Dementia Friends
my learning cloud

Next Steps

Get in touch to arrange for a free assessment, during which we will come and see you. Then, we will choose the care team based on your preferences and needs. This care can even start the same day.

Do you have what it takes to be a carer?

If you are looking for a job in Evesham, Alcester Home Care is recruiting now. We are looking for dedicated, friendly people with a passion for giving back to their community and a strong desire to help others. If this is you, we would love to hear from you! We have carer positions available in Evesham and the surrounding area, visit our job vacancies page for more.