Financial support from the council

Most people will have to pay something towards their care costs, and some will have to pay all their costs. To find out whether you are eligible for means-tested support from the council, both a care needs assessment and a financial assessment will be carried out. Both assessments are free.

The financial assessment is carried out by a visiting officer from the council’s Financial Assessment and Benefits (FAB) team. The visiting officer will look at your capital, savings and income and will work out how much you can afford to pay towards your care and support. A benefit check will also be carried out to make sure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to.

How much you will have to pay for your care and

Independent financial advice

Paying for care can be an expensive and long-term commitment. The council has commissioned The Care Advice Line to provide free, confidential and personalised financial advice about your options for paying for care either now or in the future. It can also help with information about current benefit rates and entitlements and can facilitate access to specialist financial or legal advice. Visit www.thecareadviceline.org/gloucestershire or call 01452 222200.

support depends on your financial circumstances. If you choose not to have a financial assessment, you will be responsible for paying the full cost of your care and support.

Use the financial assessment calculator (www.yourcircle.org.uk/Information/ paycareandsupport) to estimate what you might have to pay towards the cost of care and support arranged by the council. The council will always tell you in writing how much you will have to pay and the date that you will start paying from.

You can find out more about the FAB team and financial assessments at www.yourcircle.org.uk (search ‘paying for care’). For more information, see pages 51 and 54.

Before entering into any arrangements, the council strongly recommends seeking independent advice from a financial adviser registered with the Financial Conduct Authority accredited with the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA).

Visit www.societyoflaterlifeadvisers.co.uk

Citizens Advice provides free and impartial information and advice on benefits. It has several offices in Gloucestershire. Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk, call 0800 144 8848 or textphone 18001 0800 144 8884. These organisations will also provide free advice about funding care and support.

Age UK

Web: www.ageuk.org.uk/moneymatters

Tel: 0800 055 6112

Money Helper

A free and impartial money advice service set up by the Government.

Web: www.moneyhelper.org.uk

Tel: 0800 138 7777

Other specialist advice is available to help you plan for the future; see page 57.

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Every carer is DBS checked, assessed, and referenced

At Elder we offer: Companionship

Elder provides choice and matches carers to the specific needs of my patients and their families. The service is always responsive and in some cases the request for a carer has been arranged within 48 hours - I couldn’t recommend Elder more highly.

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