Assessment
Adult social care is means-tested, apart from the meals service. This means that, if you can afford to, you may be asked to contribute towards the cost of your care.
If you are assessed as eligible for social care services, an assessment of your wealth is then carried out using rules set by the Government to see whether you will be asked to make a financial contribution.
You can read more about assessments and getting help from the council here.
Charging Rules
If you have capital in excess of £23,250 you will be asked to pay the full charge for your care.
If you have less than this amount you can ask for a means tested financial assessment to determine the amount you will pay towards the cost of your care package. If you are required to pay something towards your care you will be invoiced every 4 weeks. However if you have a Direct Payment the arrangements are slightly different and this will be explained to you at the point that your care package is set up.
Standard allowances are made for daily living expenses and for disability related expenditure – you can check in the policy which expenses can be offset against your income. The value of your home is not included in the means tested assessment but if you own more than one property you will be required to pay the full charge for your care.
The Financial Fact Sheet shows how charges are made up. The details the financial assessment criteria used to determine whether someone's circumstances entitle them to financial support from the County Council towards the cost of their care.
The Charging Policy for Non-Residential Services details the financial assessment criteria used to determine whether someone's circumstances entitle them to financial support from the County Council towards the cost of their care.
Last reviewed: 18/07/2019