The cost of care homes depends on the type of care needed and an individual's capital. Local authorities in the UK determine how much of the care home costs a person can afford to pay based on their total capital and weekly income. A person's weekly income is calculated based on their capital, with £1 of weekly income for every £250 of capital between the upper and lower capital limits set by each local authority. If a person's capital is below the lower limit or above the upper limit, they will pay less or all of the fees respectively. The document provides information on benefits care home residents receive and ways to ensure proper financial assistance.

2. The cost of a care home differs for everybody. It depends on
the type of care you require and your capital.
England
Upper limit: £23,250
Lower limit: £14,250
Scotland
Upper limit: £24,750
Lower limit: £15,250
In the UK, it’s up to the Local Authority to determine how much of your care home costs you can
afford to pay. They calculate this based on your total capital and – in some cases – on what they
Wales
determine to be your ‘weekly income’.
Upper limit: £22,000
If your total capital (i.e. the value of your solely-owned properties, savings and investments) Lower limit: £22,000
falls between the upper and lower limits shown on the left side of this page (excluding Wales,
which only has an upper limit), then that figure is used to determine your ‘weekly income’. For
every £250 of capital you have, you’re given a weekly income of £1. It is this ‘income’
calculation that the Local Authority uses to determine how much financial assistance you’re
entitled to.
If your capital falls below the lower limit, then your capital won’t factor into your fee
assessment. If it falls above the upper limit, you’ll be required to pay your care home fees in
full.
If your weekly income adds up to more than your weekly care home costs (plus an additional Source: Direct.gov.uk
expenses figure, £23.50 in Scotland/England, £24.00 in Wales), then you’re required to pay for
your care yourself. Image via Loretta Prescott via Pinterest

3. When you move into a care home, you should still receive the state benefits
you’re entitled to. In fact, it’s important to claim all the benefits you qualify for,
as this is calculated into the Local Authority’s assessment of your finances. Here
are some of the most common benefits care home residents receive:
• State Pension
• Disability Living
Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
In addition to care homes, there’s also
• Income Support/Pension the option to receive in-home care.
Credit
If you have a full-time carer – perhaps a
friend or family member – you can look
into temporary care home stays or
respite care options for when your full-
time carer is on holiday.
While the way in which care home cost assistance is calculated is set in stone,
It’s also worthwhile for your carer to
you still have the power to ensure you’re getting the proper funding you are look into Carer’s Allowance.
entitled to. Here are some ways you can make sure you’re getting the financial
help you need:
• Assess your care needs- if necessary, work with your GP and the Local
Authority to get an official assessment of your financial needs
• Update your Local Authority when your financial needs change
• Double-check that you are receiving all of the benefits (i.e. the ones listed
in the section above) you’re entitled to
Source: Bupa.co.uk , Bupa.co.uk

4. Direct.gov.uk
AgeUK.org
Turn2Us.org.uk
Bupa.co.uk
Image via Heather Green via Pinterest