Frequently asked questions about charging

Do I have to pay for my services?

Yes, in most instances you will have to pay something towards the cost of the services provided to you.

My care manager says my care is fully funded. Do I still have to pay?

Yes, you do. This means your local council will pay the provider the whole cost of the service, but you will still need to pay your assessed contribution towards this. You will be sent regular invoices for the amount you have been assessed to pay; you will not be required to pay the provider directly.

When will I be told how much I have to pay?

Normally, before your service starts, you will be asked for information about your financial circumstances – an assessment will be completed by telephone appointment or, on request, the Financial Assessment Team may visit you to complete your assessment. As soon as the information has been collected, a financial assessment will be carried out and you will be given written details of exactly how much you are being asked to pay. Any benefits you may be entitled to will be indicated when a welfare benefit check has been completed and you can get help to apply for any additional benefits you may be entitled to.

What happens if I don’t get the benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that the council says I should pay towards my weekly charge?

In the first instance, you will need to make a claim to the DWP for the benefits the council has indicated you are entitled to. If you are unsuccessful in your claim for any of these benefits, please contact the helpdesk on 0300 126 8088 for North Northamptonshire Council and 0300 126 3200 for West Northamptonshire Council, and they will be able to advise you. You will need to provide the relevant helpdesk with a copy of the letter from the DWP.

Will the weekly contributions change?

The amount you pay may change due to changes in the law; changes in your financial circumstances, e.g. benefit increases, or changes in the amount charged by the provider. Your charges are usually reviewed each year, but you can request a review at any time if your financial circumstances change.

Can I give my money to members of my family?

Reasonable gifts to family members in line with previously established custom and practice, for instance birthday or wedding gifts, can still be made. However, capital or assets transferred with the intention of reducing or avoiding the need for you to pay for care will be taken into account during the financial assessment. See page 44 for more information on deprivation of assets.

If I have to go into permanent care and I own my own home, do I have to sell it?

If you meet your local council’s eligibility criteria and your capital (not including your house) is below the £23,250 limit, the value of your house will not be considered as part of your assessment for the first 12 weeks of your residential care (exceptions apply).

This is to give you time to decide how you want to pay for the full cost from week 13. For example, you may want to consider the Deferred Payment Agreement. See page 45 for more information. Please note, you will still have to pay an assessed contribution during the initial 12-week period.

What is the Personal Expense Allowance?

This is the amount the Government says you are allowed to keep from your benefits to spend on your own personal needs if you are in residential care. This is not taken into account when working out how much you have to pay for your care.