Your Funding Options
Funding Choices
We have years of experience in finding the funding options available for people
Understanding the funding options available for your health care needs can be difficult, whether it be for your needs or those of a loved one. We often hear stories of family members being provided with conflicting information and advice from clinicians, social workers, hospitals and local authority staff. This is why it can be very helpful to talk to a knowledgeable third party like Real Life Care who understand your options and how best to claim the funding you need with an impartial approach.
Funding Options Available
Types Of Funding
Self Funding
This is when the patient pays for their own care because they have assets or capital which exceeds the local authority funding threshold. Currently the threshold in England is £23,250 so if the patient has assets or capital worth over this amount, they will be expected to fund their own care until they get down to this amount. (The threshold differs in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- You have over £23,250 in assets or capital
- If your condition is severe, you may be eligible for Continuing Healthcare Funding
Local Authority Funding
This type of funding applies when the patient has assets/capital valued at less than £23,250 (In England). The council where the patient is resident will make contributions towards the cost of the patient’s care but the patient will still be required to make contributions from sources such as their pension.
- For those who have assets or capital valued at less than £23,250
- Local council funded
Local Authority Charging Order
This applies when the patient has property that for whatever reason hasn’t been sold yet. The Local Authority can apply the debt against the property so when the property is then sold, the Council require repayment before the charging order can be lifted. Normally, the patient is still required to make some form of contribution towards the cost of their care even if there is a charging order in place
- Debt is being applied against the patient’s property
- Patient is still expected to make contributions towards their care
NHS Funded Nursing Care
This is a payment from the NHS towards the cost of the patient’s care fees. Patient’s eligible for this payment will require some form of nursing care which has been recognised by the NHS. Normally this payment is made directly to the care home meaning the cost of the patient’s fees decreases in terms of how much they have to contribute. Currently the rate of FNC stands at £187.60 per week
- Paid direct to the care home
- Condition needs to be recognised by the NHS
Continuing Healthcare Funding
This is when the NHS pay for the whole amount of the patient’s care fees. This type of funding is not means tested. It is based entirely on the patients’ healthcare needs and if they are at a standard where they require such a high level of medical intervention that it is deemed the NHS should be paying the bill for this care. In order to be eligible for this type of funding, the patient will require a Continuing Healthcare Assessment and will need to meet a specific criteria set by the NHS.
- Entirely funded by the NHS
- Your financial situation is not considered, just your healthcare needs
Want to discuss your options?
Book An Appointment To Discuss Funding Now
We are experts in funding options and we will spend time understanding your case in depth to ensure we provide you with the most appropriate information relating to the funding options for your case.
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Frequently Asked
Questions About Funding
You may find information on funding from a number of sources however this can be difficult to decipher. We want to try and keep things simple for you, so that you can make an informed choice and not feel pressured into anything. Especially given that things often move very quickly and health conditions can change rapidily it can be difficult to keep up with what you are entitled to at any given point.
To help you make an informed choice we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about funding.
Do I always have to contribute to my care fees?
No, depending on your condition, financial situtation and the level of care you require you may be able to get it entirely funded. We can discuss maximising your funding options with you.
Book An Appointment NowDoes my location change the funding I can claim?
Unfortunately yes, local councils have different funding criteria and packages which does make things more complicated for patients and their families trying to claim. And this also extends into the different options in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Do the different funding options affect the care I will receive?
You may lose out on some choice of health care provider if you are looking to be entirely funded. You always have the option to pay extra or in full to have more control over your care.
I have previously paid care fees but I was eligible for funding, what can I do?
If you were eligible for funding from the NHS then they have a duty to pay for your care, the fees you paid can be claimed back as a refund. This can be done for cases from April 2013 and even if the patient has sadly passed away then this can be completed by a loved one.
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