Funding & Planning
- Stevenage, Letchworth & Hitchin
- Information & Support
- Funding & Planning
Supporting you to make the process simpler
We understand that choosing care can be difficult, that’s why we try and support you to make the process as simple as possible. Right at Home can provide you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about homecare.
When you make contact with us, you will be provided with an approximate quote before undertaking a homecare assessment to confirm the level and type of care required.
Our care packages can be tailored to meet your needs, however, we always recommend that our care calls are a minimum of one hour to ensure the quality of our care is the highest level for you or your family member.
If you are arranging care for yourself or a loved one over the age of 18, you may be entitled to additional financial support. If you have questions about the cost of homecare you can contact us today.
Attendance Allowance
Those aged 65 or over who need help with personal care, due to physical or mental disability, can apply to receive Attendance Allowance. This is a tax-free Government benefit which is not means-tested.
- The basic rate of Attendance Allowance (£58.70 a week) is given to over 65s who need frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night.
- A higher rate of Attendance Allowance (£87.65 a week) is available to over 65s who need help and supervision throughout both the day and the night, or are living with a terminal illness.
People aged under 65 may be eligible for Personal Independence Payments instead. These payments range from £23.20 to £148.85 a week.
Follow this link to find out more or visit www.direct.gov.uk and search for Attendance Allowance.
Carers Allowance
If you are 16 or over and spend more than 35 hours a week caring for someone with disabilities, you may be eligible to receive Carer’s Allowance (£66.15 a week).
This taxable benefit is not available to people who are in full-time education, receive certain other benefits, or earn more than £123.00 a week after certain deductions.
Visit www.direct.gov.uk and search for Carer’s Allowance for more information.
Social Services Funding
Social Services Funding comes into effect if the person needing care has less than £23,250 in savings.
If this is the case, the first step is to ask your local Adult Social Services department to arrange a Community Care Assessment. If the person in question is deemed eligible to receive council-supported care services, the local authority will decide a budget based upon their care needs.
The maximum hourly rate for homecare services varies from one authority to another. It is unlikely to cover the full hourly cost of a quality homecare service, such as Right at Home. However, as a result of a Government initiative to give individuals greater choice, you are now able to take control of your budget by having it paid into your bank account and topping-up the hourly cost of receiving care from an agency of your choice. This route is called Direct Payments and is designed to allow people greater control and choice over the care services they receive. To find out more about Direct Payments follow this link or visit www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect.
How do savings affect charges?
Personal health budgets
Personal health budgets are funded by the NHS and can be used to implement a care and support plan that is agreed between the individual and their local NHS teams. They are an optional way of achieving your health and wellbeing goals, giving you greater control over decision-making.
Once a care and support plan has been agreed, the individual can either manage their budget themselves or they can opt for the NHS team or a third party to manage it for them. If managing their own budget, they will receive Direct Payments to spend on healthcare services they have chosen and arranged themselves. Alternatively, the NHS team or a third party will support them to identify the services they need, then arrange and pay for them on their behalf.
Personal health budgets are fully funded by the NHS and cannot be ‘topped up’. To find out more follow this link.
NHS Continuing Care Funding
If you have a complex medical problem or needs that result from disability, accident or illness, you might qualify for free NHS Continuing Care.
This tends to be given to people who need nursing care rather than social care. It can cover healthcare costs, personal care, accommodation or support for carers if you are being looked after at home.
To find out if you are eligible for free NHS Continuing Care, you must first undergo initial screening, then a more thorough assessment that is carried out by a team of two or more health and social care professionals who are involved in your care. If your health is deteriorating rapidly, you can ask about a fast-track assessment to bypass the initial screening.
If you don’t qualify for NHS support at the first assessment and your circumstances change, you can request a review through your GP or social worker. You may still qualify for Local Authority funding for some of your care needs.
To find out more about NHS Continuing Care follow this link.
If you have questions about the cost of homecare you can contact us today and we can guide you if you are unsure of the options available
