Money and paying for support and care Care funded by the Council Figures mentioned in this section are subject to change annually. Check with your local authority for the latest information. Do I qualify for local authority financial assistance? If you have been assessed as having eligible care needs and your capital is below £23,250, you may be entitled to financial assistance from your local authority. The Council will complete an assessment of your finances to determine how much you can afford to contribute towards the cost of your care. This assessment will differ depending on whether you receive care and support in your own home or in a care home. To find out more, contact Oxfordshire County Council’s Social and Health Care team on 0345 050 7666 or visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/payingcare
Do I have a choice of care home if the Council is paying? Yes, and it can even be in a different county. The home you choose must be suitable for your assessed needs, comply with any terms and conditions set by your Council and not cost any more than it would usually pay for someone with your needs. What if I want to choose a home that costs more than the Council is prepared to pay? The Council will allow a third party to top-up your fees as long as the third party is able to do so for the long-term. You are not allowed to top-up the fees yourself from capital below £23,250, except in limited circumstances. Speak to the Council for more information.
Paying for your own care Paying for care can be an expensive and long-term commitment, so the Council strongly recommends that you seek specialist information and advice before entering into any arrangements. If you are funding your own care because you are not eligible for local authority funding, there are other forms of financial assistance you may be entitled to. The important thing is not to try to do it alone, always seek professional advice. My Care My Home My Care My Home offers a free advice service through home visits aimed at helping people find a suitable care provider. As well as offering a professional assessment of needs to people who fund their own care, and helping them to source suitable providers, My
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Care My Home can refer you on to an independent financial adviser. If you wish to arrange your own financial adviser, My Care My Home can give you the necessary details to enable you to do this. For more information, visit www. mycaremyhome.co.uk or call 0800 731 8470. Other sources of help and advice include: The Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) SOLLA aims to help people to find trusted accredited financial advisers who have an understanding of financial needs in later life. The Later Life Adviser Accreditation Scheme is audited and endorsed by the standard-setting body, the Financial Skills Partnership (FSP). The website offers an online search of SOLLA accredited advisers. Visit www.societyoflaterlifeadvisers.co.uk
For further information about Oxfordshire County Council services visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk
