Local authority funding

Your client will be liable to pay all of their care costs if their savings and assets are over the savings threshold for local authority funding. If your client’s income and savings are above this limit it’s still worth contacting the local authority. These are the thresholds for the tax year 2023/24:  

Sourced: 17 October 2023, Money Advice Service View - Money Advice Service 

If your client’s income and savings are below the savings threshold, they may be eligible for funding but the local authority may still expect them to contribute from any income they receive. Income contributions shouldn’t take your client's income below the weekly Personal Expenses Allowance (PEA), in Wales this is called the ‘Minimum Income amount’. This is for personal expenditure on items such as toiletries and haircuts. The weekly PEA for 2023/24 is between £28.01 and £39.50 (depending on which part of the UK you live in). 

What assets are excluded?

In the financial assessment, the following assets aren't included:

• The home will be ignored if there is a spouse/partner still living in the property or a close relative who is disabled or over 60. It will also be ignored if your client is legally liable to support a child aged below 16 living in the property.
• If your client has a partner and their savings are held separately, the partners’ savings will not be taken into account. However, if savings are held in a joint account they might be taken into account.
• Certain types of investment bonds with a life assurance element are usually disregarded.
• Winter Fuel Payment, Disability Living Allowance and the Personal Independence Payment mobility components. 

These are some of the assets that are excluded. Some assets are partially disregarded in calculating how care should be funded. A list of what’s included in any financial assessment can be found here View - here.

Your client may be entitled to free home adaptations and equipment, provided they cost less than £1,000 each.

Examples of adaptations and equipment include:

• handrails for the stairs
• grab rails for the bathroom
• an intercom system for answering the front door
• ramps for wheelchair access
• a walking frame
• perching stools in the kitchen or shower

Your client can ask the adult social services department of their local council for a free home assessment. They can do this online or by phone.

Apply for a home assessment View - Apply for a home assessment 

An occupational therapist will visit your client at home to see what they need.

If the assessment finds your client needs a change to their home or a piece of equipment that costs less than £1,000, the council should provide it free of charge.

Many of the services provided in the home are usually charged for. The kind of services typically provided include meals and carers, transport, home modifications and equipment that can help with the tasks of daily living. The same assessment criteria are applied to calculate whether or not your client may be entitled to financial support, but the value of your client’s home is excluded.

If your client has a disability or complex medical condition they may have healthcare needs rather than social care needs and they might be eligible for NHS funding.