Paying for care in a residential setting

You will have to pay for your own care if you have savings or assets over £23,250. This includes the value of your home if you need to move to a care home. But if you think your money is reducing and it will be less than £23,250 soon, you could get help paying for your care costs.

If your money is reducing, you should contact us and ask for a care needs assessment (Better Lives assessment).

This will identify what level of support you are eligible for and your personal budget. Then, if you qualify for help, you will have a financial assessment to see how much you have to pay towards your care.

It is important to get in touch with us as soon as you realise your funds are going to run out.

The process can take a long time and you will need to have enough money to cover your care costs until we agree to fund you.

You should contact us at least 3 months before your savings are less than £23,250. Please remember that we can only fund you from the day you contact us.

We cannot pay for any previous costs.

You may need to live in a care home if you have care needs that cannot be met at home. If this is the case, you can ask us to check if we can help you pay for your care home fees.

We will look at your income and savings to see if you qualify for any financial support. See our financial assessments section for more information.

If you move to a care home, your home will not count as part of your assessment if someone else lives there, and will continue to after you move, who is:

• your husband, wife, civil partner or partner
• a close relative who is 60 or older
• a child who depends on you
• a relative who has a disability or illness that makes them unable to work or do everyday things.

But, if you:

• need to move into a care home, and
• have been identified as able to fund your own care home costs, but your money is tied up in your home, and
• you own your own home, with no one else living there, and
• have savings or other assets valued at under £23,250

Buckinghamshire Council are able to provide care choices in different locations. The council may send people for care outside the County when:

• the person needs specialist care that is hard to find in the County.
• the person has no family or friends in the County and does not mind where they go.
• living in Buckinghamshire would stop family and friends being able to see them. Denying them a chance to experience family life and support.

The Council will look at each person's case carefully. Client contributions and top up fees may apply.

Each year, your care and support needs and the amount you are paying will be reviewed. If there are any changes, we will let you know.

If there are any changes to your circumstances that affect your finances, you can let us know by calling us on 01296 383 204.