We understand that cost is one of the biggest concerns regarding care and support. It can be difficult to know where to start, especially if you are acting on behalf of someone else, or you are dealing with extra challenges such as ill-health.
We have made our service excellent value to help take away the stress of financing care. Our costs are easy to understand and manage, and you will always be in control of your finances. Our entire service is person-centred around you or your loved one. Costs are individualised to suit your needs, following a full discussion and assessment with you and/or your family. Home care is usually a better alternative, financially, to a care home or nursing home, too.
We have put together a simple guide, below, that may ease your finances, allowing you to paying for home care, health care and home help. We are always happy to advise and guide you, so do contact us with any questions or concerns.
Step 1 – Have you claimed all possible benefits?
You, or your family member, may be entitled to a range of benefits that you’re currently not claiming. We’ve listed the most common ones below.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is extra money to help with your care needs if you’ve reached pension age and you have an illness or disability. You can check on the Citizens Advice Scotland website if you’re entitled to it, and how to claim.
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who are giving regular and substantial care to disabled people. Many people don’t realise they are entitled to this benefit.
You can usually get Carer’s Allowance if all of the following apply:
- you’re aged 16 or over
- you’re not in full time education
- you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a disabled person
- the person you’re caring for gets one of the following benefits: Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance, the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance, the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (either rate) or Armed Forces Independence Payment
- you don’t earn more than £128 a week – after deductions such as income tax, National Insurance and half of your pension contributions
- you’re not subject to immigration control that would stop you getting benefits.
Find out how to claim Carer’s Allowance on the Scottish Government website
Council Tax discount
Find out more about council tax discounts and exemptions in Dumfries and Galloway
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is a weekly benefit to boost your income. It’s based on how much money you have coming in. Pension Credit in Scotland is only available if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
To claim Pension Credit you must:
- have reached State Pension age
- not have too much income or savings
- live in the UK.
Check if you, or your loved one, can claim Pension Credit (Citizens Advice Scotland website)
Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment
The Scottish Government pays these two benefits to eligible people, to help with the cost of heating your home in winter.
The Winter Fuel Payment is a UK-wide benefit that helps people born on or before 5 July 1952 to pay their heating bills. (In Scotland, the benefit also covers families with severely disabled children.)
The Cold Weather Payment is paid to individuals on low incomes and in receipt of certain benefits to help with heating costs when the temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, colder than zero degrees Celsius across seven consecutive days.
Read about the Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment on the Scottish Government website
Step 2 – Have you asked your GP about NHS funding?
NHS funding can be difficult to claim successfully, but in certain circumstances it can cover the full costs of your care. The first thing to do is to ask your GP for a screening test to see if you’re suitable for a full assessment.
Step 3 – Can your local authority help?
Your local authority in Scotland will usually help with the cost of care. We have listed this as Step 3, as going to the NHS first may increase your chances of getting care funding if you get a direct referral from them.
However, even without an NHS referral, you can request funding from your local authority via the Social Work Adult Services Department.
Check out how to request help with social care on the Dumfries and Galloway Council website
Step 4 – Could you use your savings or assets?
If you still need extra finance to fund your home care or social care, you can use liquid assets (e.g. cash in the bank). Or you might consider releasing equity from your home, which means staying in your home but using its value to fund your care. Please do seek expert advice if you wish to consider an equity release, so you receive the best deal possible for your situation.
This article on the Saga website about equity release could be a useful starting place to find out more.
Useful links
Here are some organisations that provide more information on paying for care and living an independent life at home. If you need help with clarifying any of the information they offer, please don’t hesitate to call us.
Age Concern Scotland – https://www.ageconcernscotland.org.uk/
Care Information Scotland’s “Care at home costs” page – https://careinfoscotland.scot/topics/care-at-home/home-care-costs/
Citizens Advice Scotland – https://www.cas.org.uk/
Dumfries & Galloway Council’s “Paying for care” page – https://dumgal.gov.uk/article/16342/Paying-for-care
Saga Magazine – https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine
Scottish Government Health and Social Care Standards – https://www.gov.scot/publications/health-social-care-standards-support-life/
Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Codes of Practice – https://www.sssc.uk.com/the-scottish-social-services-council/sssc-codes-of-practice/
Self Directed Support Scotland – https://www.sdsscotland.org.uk/