Introduction to paying for care in Buckinghamshire
When will I have to pay for care
If you receive care at home, in the community or in a residential home that is funded by us, you will be asked about your individual financial circumstances. This is to work out how much you might need to pay towards the cost of your care.
The Online Contribution Calculator enables you do this for yourself – free, in confidence and in your own time. The calculator will tell you what your weekly contribution might be.
If you have been asked to complete a Statement of Financial Circumstances by Buckinghamshire Council, you also have the option to submit the information directly to our system at the end of the calculator to help speed up the assessment process.
You will have to pay for the full cost of your care if:
- you choose not to contact adult social care for an assessment.
- you have had a care assessment from adult social care and are not currently eligible for local authority provided care and support.
- you have had a care assessment from adult social care and are eligible for care and support but have savings above the threshold set by the government.
- If you have savings or capital valued more than £23,250, you will be expected to meet the costs of your care.
- If you have more than £14,250, but less than £23,250, we will charge £1 per week for every £250 of savings you have above £14,250
- If you have less than £14,250 you will still be assessed to see what you may have to contribute towards your care.
Your personal budget is the amount of money the Council will pay towards your care and support needs. Your personal budget is worked out after your care and support plan.
You can choose how you receive your personal budget, by asking us to either:
- manage your personal budget for you
- pay the money to another organisation – such as a care provider
- have a direct payment sent directly to you or someone you choose
If you need to pay towards your care and support costs, you will get an invoice every 28 days. There are different payment methods you can use to pay and details of these will be in the invoice.