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Luton Borough Council

Self funders: paying for your own care and support

 

Even if you pay for your own care and support, you can still benefit from contacting us.

A ‘self funder’ is the term we give to someone who pays for their own care and support.
 
If you are a self funder we can still help you with information and advice on arranging your care and support.

What help is there for self funders?

As a self funder you are still entitled to have an assessment of care needs. We will look at your specific needs and identify services which can help you.

How much money can I have before I am responsible for funding my own care?

The current threshold set by the Government is £23,250. If you have over £23,250 in capital and savings (or your share of joint capital is over £23,250) you will be expected to pay in full for your own care.
 
Under the Care Act, the Government plans to introduce a cap on care costs and increase the amount of money you can have before you are expected to pay in full for your care. It was recently announced that the introduction of these policies will be delayed.
 
Under certain circumstances, self funders may be able to get help from the NHS towards paying for their nursing home fees, through continuing healthcare, or NHS-funded nursing care.
 
Follow this link to NHS Choices to find out more about continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care.

How else can self funders benefit?

Even if you have over £23,250 and are a self funder, there are still lots of ways we can help you.
We can help self funders with:
  • information about local services
  • help from us to arrange your care and support
  • we have a responsibility for safeguarding adults from harm and will deal with all issues of abuse whether you are a self funder or have council-funded care and support. Follow this link to find out more about safeguarding adults.
Self funders may also be able to benefit from:
  • services which are not chargeable 
  • access to non-residential care and support services which could be charged at a reduced rate
  • Deferred Payment Agreements – so you don’t have to sell your home during your lifetime to pay your care home fees

Deferred Payment Agreements

If you are a self funder and you are living in a residential or a nursing care home or looking to move to one, then you may be eligible for a Deferred Payment Agreement. This is an arrangement with us which may allow you to use the value of your home to help pay your care home fees.
We will pay some of your care home fees for you and you can delay paying us back until you choose to sell your home, or if your care package ends.
 
Follow this link to find out more about Deferred Payment Agreements

Can the council arrange my residential care home for me?

As a self-funder any residential care contracts will usually be between you and the care home directly. However, in certain circumstances, we can help you to arrange this care. 

Can the council arrange my home care or day care for me?

Yes. Following your assessment of care needs you may then choose to either source the service yourself or we can organise it on your behalf and invoice you.

What happens if I am a self funder but my money is running out?

If your savings are starting to decrease and you think they will soon fall below £23,250 you should contact us. You may be able to get financial assistance with your care.
If you live in your own home and receive care and support, you should make sure you have enough money to fund four weeks of your charges before your savings get down to £23,250.
If you are in a residential care home or a nursing home, you should make sure that you have enough money to fund at least 10 weeks of your care charges before your savings get down to £23,250.

Can I get help understanding what I need to pay?

Yes. Even if you are a self funder you can still have a financial assessment. As part of the assessment we can help you to understand your care costs. If you are a self funder you might also want to seek independent financial advice. Follow this link to find out more about independent financial advice.

© 2024 Luton Council, Town Hall, Luton LU1 2BQ