Home Care - Funding Sources

The good news is that there are now more ways than ever to help people pay for care in their own homes.

The Government has continued to increase the amount of money to pay or contribute to people's individual care packages. From domiciliary to live-in care there are now a number of different ways of getting financial help.

Direct Payments

Enabling you to arrange your own care and Services, Direct Payments are local council payments for people who have been assessed as needing help from social services, and who would like to arrange and pay for their own care and support services instead of receiving them directly from social services.

If you already receive social services your local council is obliged to offer you the option of Direct Payments in place of the service you currently receive. If you're not receiving social services to get Direct Payments you will need to contact your local council to ask them to assess your needs.

For more information contact your local council or look at www.direct.gov.uk

Continuing Care

Continuing care is fully funded medical, nursing and personal care which may be provided in the individual's own home.

For more information contact your local Primary care Trust or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax free benefit for people aged 65 and over who need help with their personal care. There are two rates. The higher weekly rate is £62.25, the lower rate is £41.65.

You can claim by downloading the form from the government web site on www.direct.gov.uk, or by ringing the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882200.

Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance is a tax free benefit for children and adults who need help with personal care or have difficulties with walking.

You can claim online from www.direct.gov.uk or get a claim pack from your local Jobcentre Plus or Social Security Office or by phoning the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882200.

Independent Living Fund

The Independent Living Fund (ILF) is designed to help you, if you are disabled, to live independently at home rather than in residential care. Payments from the fund can be used to employ people to give personal and domestic care in your own home. The maximum amount payable is £455 per week.

You can download a form from the Independent Living Fund website www.ilf.org.uk or www.direct.gov.uk or contact your local social services department.

Carer's Allowance

Carer's Allowance is a benefit to help people who look after someone who is disabled. You do not have to be related to, or live with the person you care for. The basic rate is £46.95 per week.

You can apply online on www.direct.gov.uk or get information from the Carers Line on 0808 808 7777.

COMMUNITY CARE INFORMATION

The Health and Social Care Information Centre which is part of the Government Statistical Service providing National Statistics. Their Community Care Statistics in March 2006 which contained the following key facts:-

In the survey week during September 2005 an estimated 3.6 million contact hours were provided to 376,700 clients.
The average number of contact hours per household was 10.1.
Around 98,200 households received intensive homecare.
73% of the total contact hours of homecare were provided by the Independent Sector to 250,000 households.

Note. This information only refers to the care funded by social services. Privately funded care is therefore not included.

Our 24 hour Advice Line has a member of the management team available to assist during office hours, and for urgent advice between 5pm to 9am.

TrewCare - Live In Care and Home Care agency