Even if you have substantial assets, Help the Aged and
Bupa say there are benefits and exemptions you can make
use of to lessen and mitigate the burden of long term
care fees.
Attendance allowance
This is a non-means-tested, non-taxable benefit
paid weekly. You can get between £41.65 and £62.25.
Council tax exemption
If your property is left empty while you move
into care, you should receive full exemption from council
tax until it is sold.
Help with the costs of care
There are two elements to the cost of long-term
care: nursing care, which is provided by the NHS and is
normally free, and personal care, paid for by the local
authority. How much help you get towards personal care
- the element that includes the cost of living in a home
- depends on where you live in the UK and on your local
authority.
The council will pay some or all of your long-term care
costs if you have assets of less than £21,000. If
the value of your home takes your assets over £21,000
you should consider entering into a deferred payment charge.
This means you can keep the home instead of selling it
and still receive help from the local authority, which
recoups what it has paid in benefits from the sale of
your property after you die.
In Scotland personal care for those over 65 is paid for
up to £195 a week but no attendance allowance is
paid. In Northern Ireland those over 75 automatically
get some personal care services free.
Change joint ownership of property
If your partner needs to move into a care home,
consider changing the ownership of your property from
joint tenancy to tenants in common. You can then protect
your half from going towards the cost of care.
Split joint accounts
People paying for care from a joint account should
split the account into separate single accounts immediately
to benefit from state assistance as early as possible.
Useful contacts
Bupa 0800 001010 or www.bupacarehomes.co.uk
National Home Fees Agency at www.nhfa.co.uk
Counsel and Care at www.counselandcare.org.uk
Solicitors for the Elderly at www.solicitorsfortheelderly.com
Help the Aged on 0500 767476
The Alzheimer's Society at www.alzheimers.org.uk
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