Our Services – KEM Healthcare and Consulting Ltd

Paying for care at home

Everything about covering the expenses of care at home. Learn about the costs of home care and long-term support, understand eligible benefits, and get guidance on financing home-based care.

How much does home care cost per hour?

When picking a home care provider, one of the initial considerations is the fees. The cost of home care, also referred to as domiciliary care or in-home care, varies by location. On average, anticipate paying between £20 to £30 per hour for care at home.

In many cases, home care can be more cost-effective than residential care, depending on your needs. It's important to note that fees may increase during weekends and bank holidays.

For instance:

If you require two hours of home care each day at a rate of £25 per hour, your costs would be:

£350 per week

£1,400 per month

£16,800 annually

How much does live-in care cost?

Live-in care fees typically begin around £900 to £1,400 per week, with the potential to reach up to £2,000 per week. The cost of 24-hour care at home varies among individuals, influenced by specific needs, desired services, and the chosen provider.

For instance:

If you require 24-hour live-in care at a rate of £1,100 per week, your expenses would be:

£4,730 per month (52 weeks per year divided by 12 months equals 4.3 weeks a month)

£56,760 annually

Creating a budget can alleviate financial stress, and consulting a financial advisor for funding options can be beneficial.

To avoid unnecessary costs, consider:

- What type of care you need
- How often you'll need care
- The duration of care required
- The expected hourly rate

When you receive a quote from a home care provider, calculate the estimated cost to assess affordability and budget accordingly.

Your local council might cover some or all of the costs based on your financial situation. Additionally, various benefits are available for those in need of home care.

If you have complex health issues requiring significant care, NHS Continuing Healthcare (NHS CHC) might fully fund your care and support.

Financial Support for Home Care in England

In England, obtaining financial support for home care involves the following:

Local Council Contribution:

Your local council may assist with home care costs based on a needs assessment.

If eligible, the council recommends and arranges the home care service, contributing to the cost (state-funded home care).

If deemed ineligible, they provide information on seeking help in your area.

Financial Assessment (Means Test):

The council determines your contribution to home care costs through a financial assessment.

The assessment considers your salary, savings, and property value is not considered.

A Financial Assessment Officer assesses earnings, pensions, benefits, and savings.

Possession values and life insurance policies are not needed.

Payment Based on Income and Savings:

Your payment depends on salary and savings; more money means a higher contribution.

If capital exceeds £23,250, you pay for home care in full.

Capital between £14,250 and £23,250 results in partial council contribution.

Less than £14,250 means the council pays, considering eligible income.

Property Value Exemption:

If not entering a care or nursing home, property value is not considered.

Financial Assistance as Capital Depletes:

If paying for home care and nearing the £23,250 limit, request a council assessment.

If capital diminishes, the council may provide funding support.

For individuals facing financial challenges with home care fees, timely communication with the local council is crucial for potential assistance.

NHS Continuing Healthcare

NHS Continuing Healthcare (NHS CHC) is a care package funded by the NHS for individuals over 18, covering all costs of substantial long-term care needs. This scheme is not dependent on specific diagnoses or conditions but rather on the level of care required. Importantly, NHS CHC is not subject to means-testing.

Qualifying for NHS Continuing Healthcare (NHS CHC)

To be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, you must demonstrate a primary health need, indicating that your care needs are primarily for healthcare purposes. The assessment process involves two stages.

Continuing Healthcare Checklist:

A qualified healthcare professional assesses your care needs using an 11-area checklist. Positive results trigger a full assessment. You can request an assessment or it may be triggered by specific situations, such as significant health deterioration or hospital discharge requiring ongoing care.

Full Assessment:

Conducted by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) of healthcare professionals, this assessment considers all care needs, including complexity, intensity, unpredictability, and associated risks. It involves a review of care records, a face-to-face meeting (including you or your representative), and completion of the Decision Support Tool (DST) with 12 domains. Each domain is rated from 'No Need' to 'High,' 'Severe,' or 'Priority.' The MDT recommends whether you have a primary health need, and the decision goes to the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for the final decision.

Ongoing Review:

If eligible, NHS Continuing Healthcare covers agreed-upon care costs. The package is reviewed after three months and at least annually, adjusting based on changing needs. Changes in eligibility and funding can be challenged.

Appealing Decision:

If deemed ineligible, you have the right to appeal. Information on the appeals process should be provided in the decision letter.

Benefits for home care eligibility?

Always verify your eligibility for benefits, and if you qualify, ensure to apply for them. Even if you possess significant savings, you might still be entitled to benefits, as some are not subject to means-testing.

The provided figures are applicable for the 2022/23 tax year.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

For individuals aged 16 to 64 (or those who have not reached State Pension Age) requiring long-term home care due to a disability or illness, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is available. The amount granted is based on the impact of your condition rather than its specific nature.

Eligibility requires experiencing difficulties with everyday living (such as eating and communicating) and/or mobility for at least three months, with an expectation that these challenges will persist for at least nine more months. PIP is a tax-free, non-means-tested benefit applicable whether you are employed or not.

Additionally, residency in England, Scotland, or Wales for at least two of the last three years is mandatory, and you must be in one of these countries when applying. For residents in other EU or EEA countries or Switzerland, assistance is limited to daily living needs.

Non-British citizens generally need to live in or demonstrate an intent to settle in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands, and should not be subject to immigration control unless sponsored.

The assessment, conducted by an independent health professional, determines the PIP rate, regularly reviewed to ensure adequate support. PIP comprises two components - daily living and mobility, and you may qualify for both based on the severity of your condition.

The weekly rates for daily living are either £61.85 or £92.40, while mobility rates are either £24.45 or £64.50. If terminally ill with a life expectancy of less than six months, the higher daily living rate applies, but the mobility rate is determined by your needs.

Attendance Allowance

To qualify for Attendance Allowance, you must have reached State Pension Age (over 65, depending on your date of birth) and experience a physical and/or mental disability, including learning difficulties. Additionally, you need care or supervision due to your disability, and this care must have been required for at least six months unless you are terminally ill. This benefit is available to all UK residents.

There are two rates based on the level of support needed, excluding mobility needs. If your condition's impact is unclear, a healthcare professional may assess you. For frequent or constant care during the day or night, you could receive £61.85 per week. If you need help both day and night or have a terminal illness, you could receive £92.40 per week. For terminal illnesses with a life expectancy of six months or less, there's no qualifying period, and you qualify for the higher rate.

Attendance Allowance disregards earnings or savings, and having someone assist you is not a requirement for claiming. If you receive an Attendance Allowance, you might be eligible for other benefits or a higher rate, including Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction.

Industrial Injuries Disablement (IIDB)

If you are disabled as a result of an accident in the workplace, or an illness caused by work, you could be entitled to a benefit of up to £188.60 per week. IIDB also covers more than 70 diseases, including asthma, deafness and asbestos-related diseases.

All people in the UK are entitled to this benefit, except if you are self-employed.

The incident must have taken place in the UK and the amount received depends on your circumstances. On a scale of 1 to 100 per cent, your disability level affects the amount you might receive, assessed by a medical advisor. In general, you need to be deemed 14 per cent disabled to be eligible.

The Government’s guidelines say if you are deemed 20 per cent disabled you could be entitled to £37.72 per week, up to £188.60 if you are assessed as 100 per cent disabled.

If you are eligible for IIDB, you could be entitled to Constant Attendance Allowance (CAA).

Carer’s Allowance (CA)

Carer’s Allowance (CA) If you care for someone at least 35 hours per week you could be entitled to £69.70 a week in Carer’s Allowance, paid weekly or every four weeks. If you are under pension age, you get National Insurance credits each week towards your pension as well.

To be eligible you must meet the following conditions: Spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone (you do not need to live with them or be related)

The person you care for receives a qualifying disability benefit Be at least 16 years old Not earn more than £132 per week after tax, national insurance and expenses Have been in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland for a minimum of two of the last three years.

Normally live in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, or live overseas as a member of the armed forces, or living in or moving to another EEA country or Switzerland.

Not be in full-time education or studying 21 hours per week or more.

Not be subject to immigration control. You do not need to live with or be related to the person you care for, but they must already receive one of the following disability benefits:

Personal Independence Payment (daily living component),

Disability Living Allowance (middle or highest rate)

Attendance Allowance Constant Attendance Allowance (at or above normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement

Benefit or at the basic rate with a War Disablement Pension) Armed Forces Independence Payment Carer’s Allowance is not means-tested but there is a cap on how much you can earn from work and is taxable if the carer’s other combined sources of income, such as personal pensions, is above the tax threshold.

If you live in Scotland and receive Carer’s Allowance, you will automatically receive Carer’s Allowance Supplement (CAS), which is a lump sum of £245.70 paid twice a year (2022/23). This is done to bring Carer’s Allowance to the level of Jobseeker’s Allowance. Click the following link for a more detailed explanation of Carer's Allowance. If you receive State Pension you won’t be paid Carer’s Allowance but if otherwise eligible, you could be awarded extra Pension Credit or Housing Benefit instead.