For people and their families that are considering care options, the financial implications and the ongoing cost of care can be a major worry. Looking after a loved one in the right way should be about their individual needs being met and a good quality of life.
Unfortunately, the government provision for care can vary according to where you live but very rarely do any provide the kind of care that loved ones want for their relatives and friends. For most people, there is a need to pay for at least some additional care support to provide the quality of life that we feel our loved ones deserve. When looking at care costs, making comparisons of the type of care you or your loved one will receive is important. You should weigh up the outcomes of care, beyond simply providing tasks, to considering the person’s safety, their need for companionship, assistance with hobbies and taking into account shared interests.
Some care options can be perceived as expensive, but it doesn’t mean they all are. When it comes to planning the right care for you, it is worth considering the funding routes and benefits that may be available to help you.
For example, care may be funded in full or part by your local authority depending on individual circumstances. It is therefore important and worth exploring the funding options available before making a final decision.
Here’s how the means test for social care will look at your income and savings, and how this will affect what you pay for care.
| Your capital | What you will have to pay |
| Over £23,250 | You must pay full fees (known as being self-funding). |
| Between £14,250 and £23,250 | The local council will fund some of your care and you’ll contribute to the rest. |
| Less than £14,250 | This will be ignored and won’t be included in the means test – the local council will pay for your care. However, they will still take your eligible income into account. |
Certain types of income, such as money from certain disability benefits and pensions, may not be counted in the means test. This is the same for certain types of capital. All other income and capital can be taken into account.
If all your eligible income is taken into account in your means test, you must be left with an income of £189.00 per week, if you’re single and above Pension Credit qualifying age. This is known as the Minimum Income Guarantee.