Paying for care and getting advice

Many people who use care and support services will pay for all of the costs. This is known as being a "self-funder".

The cost of your care will vary depending on its type, intensity, specialty, location and duration. For example, a place in a residential care home will cost hundreds of pounds a week. To make decisions that have such major financial implications, you may want to seek independent financial advice. It is advisable that you research the cost of alternative arrangements for your care and support, for example, if you are considering a care home the cost should be compared against the cost of care and support that may help you remain in your current home, such as homecare.

What is a self-funder?

Anyone who appears to have care and support needs is entitled to an assessment of their needs under the law. Coventry City Council will complete an assessment to establish the extent of your needs and then consider if you are eligible for care and support. You will be considered a self-funder if you are eligible to pay or are already paying the full cost of your care and support arrangements.

How much will care cost?

If you are thinking about your future care needs or are facing immediate decisions about care options, it can be helpful to get an idea how much care can cost. Inevitably, the price you would pay will depend on your particular circumstances and needs. The costs also vary depending on where you live. Unfortunately, care homes and homecare agencies tend not to provide this information publicly but you may find it helpful to search for and contact care services in your area – to get some idea of likely costs. 

How do I know if I qualify for means tested support?

The council will complete a financial assessment to work out if you should pay for any care and support you need. This assessment will calculate your potential contribution to care costs using information regarding your income, savings and other capital. A benefits check can also be completed upon request to ensure you are receiving any entitlements you may be eligible for.

Regardless of whether you are living at home or within a care home, when completing a financial assessment the local authority will apply the upper capital limit of £23,250 and the lower capital limit of £14,250 as set out by the Government. If you are a self-funder then the financial assessment will conclude that you have in excess of the upper capital limit. Therefore, you will be required to pay for services in full, also known as self-funding.

However once your savings reach £23,250, you can contact the council to review the funding arrangements.

Self-funders and Local Authority responsibilities

If your capital is above the financial limit, your entitlement to local authority support in meeting your needs may be dependent on the request being made.

If your request is to meet needs by care and support other than a request of a care home. Then the local authority has a duty to meet your needs even if your resources are above the capital limit and you are not entitled to financial support.

You will be charged the total cost of the care package to meet your needs plus a one off charge of £262.15 to Coventry City Council for putting the arrangements in place.

Following on from this, you will be charged an annual fee of £143.00 for as long as Coventry City Council arranges this support and your capital limit remains above £23,250.

If you are asking Coventry City Council to meet your needs within a care home placement. Then we may choose to use our discretionary powers but we are not under any duty to do so.

What other support is available to me as a self-funder?

As a self- funder Coventry City Council will still support you in various ways. This could include access to information advice and guidance, equipment and assessment of a carers needs.

Coventry City Council has a safeguarding responsibility for any person who has presenting eligible care and support needs and where there are concerns raised. Coventry City Council will follow the appropriate process and steps to ensure you are safe regardless of your financial circumstance.

What should I do to help make my savings last?

You should consult an independent financial adviser who can give you professional independent advice on financial matters. The adviser can talk to you about your money and the financial products and services they think can help you get more for your
cash. For example, an independent financial adviser can:

• recommend ways to protect your money
• reduce your risk of running out of money
• help protect your capital, such as your savings
• review your assets, such as your property and personal goods, to see if you can boost your income
• make sure you are receiving all the benefits that you are entitled to

Will the council pay the same amount for my care and support that I have paid as a self-funder?

Not necessarily. Following your care and support assessment, you will be notified of your personal budget. This is the total amount that we have agreed can be spent on your social care and support needs. The personal budget may be less than the amount that you have been paying for your care and support. However, we will provide you with at least one care provider who can deliver your care and support needs within your budget. If you wish to remain with your chosen care provider, you will need to find someone to pay the shortfall, this is known as a top up. You need to consider that if you can’t make up the shortfall in some way, you might have to move to a less expensive care provider or care home that sits within your personal budget. However, please be assured that the council will work with you to ensure that you care and support needs are met.

How do I pay for my care?

If you are self-funding and you have requested Coventry City Council to arrange this care and support. You will be sent an invoice via post showing the balance owed every four weeks. You will be informed of your balance and any amendments to your weekly charge for example if your savings have fallen below the capital threshold limit (£23,250).

Coventry City Council can receive payments by:

• Direct Debit
• Automated telephone: 024 7678 7778
• Online payments
• Payment machines available at Broadgate House, Coventry City Centre

If any payment errors have been made by Coventry City Council then we will ensure you received a full and immediate refund of the amount paid. Equally if you receive a refund you are not entitled to then this must be paid back.

I need some advice on what all this means for me

Even if we are not able to help fund your care, we will be able to make an assessment of your care and support needs. From this, we can provide you with access to a range of information and advice available locally.

You can also get independent financial advice from:

• The Money Advice Service website: offers information on paying for care or the option to speak to an online adviser. You can call the Money Advice Service on 0300 500 5000.
• The Society of Later Life Advisers: the society can also help you find advice on how to make financial plans for care in your old age.
• from qualified, independent financial advisers who specialise in care funding advice; they are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and must stick to a code of conduct and ethics, and take shared responsibility for the suitability of any product they recommend.
• Age UK: has great advice for older people and those planning for their later years.
• Carers UK: an excellent resource of advice for carers who need to help someone else.