Social care, unlike healthcare, is not free for everyone. You are responsible for the full cost of your care. Depending on your financial situation the council may contribute towards the cost based on a financial assessment (means test), which considers what you can afford to pay.
You may be entitled to help with you care costs if your savings and assets are below £23,250.
How much help you get depends on:
- your financial situation and circumstances
- the actual cost of the services you need
We will carry out a financial assessment to work out how much you could pay each week towards your care and support.
Ealing currently charges for all services provided through adult social care, except for:
- reablement
- occupational therapy equipment and adaptations up to £1,000 (means tested disabled facility grants are available for adaptations up to £30,000)
- carers support services
Your financial assessment looks at savings, income and expenses
We count:
- your savings, investments and capital – but we do not count the value of your home while you or your partner are still living there as your main and only home
- your weekly income from pensions and benefits (including disability benefits) – but not including earnings from paid work or the mobility part of disability benefits
We make allowances for certain expenses.
We use this information to work out your assessed charge which is the most you could be asked to pay for your eligible care services.
What you pay depends on the weekly cost of your care
If the weekly cost of your care services is:
- less than your assessed charge you will need to pay the full cost of your care
- more than your assessed charge, we may be able to help you with your care costs above your assessed charge
If you have savings and capital over £23,250 (Upper Capital Limit)
You won’t be eligible for financial support from the council. However:
- if you need to sell your home to pay care home fees, you may be eligible for our Deferred Payment Scheme (a bit like a secured loan) so you can delay the sale
- you can ask us to arrange and manage your community care and support arrangements – but there is an additional charge for this service
- you may be eligible for tax-free disability benefits to help with your care costs (Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment)
We recommend you seek independent financial advice before making any decisions on funding your social care and support.
