Charging for Social Care
Contributions to the cost of residential and nursing care
How much will Community Services contribute towards my care?
The social worker will use the care needs assessment to calculate the maximum amount that Community Services can pay towards your care; called the support level. There are different support levels depending on:
- whether you require residential or nursing care
- the home that you choose
Community Services can pay the difference between your assessed contribution up to the relevant support level.
How much will the NHS contribute towards my nursing care?
If you require nursing care, you will receive an assessment of your nursing care needs from the NHS, to calculate the amount which can be paid towards the overall cost of your care home.
The assessment will determine if you are entitled to Continuing Care funding, where the NHS will pay the full cost of the nursing care placement. If you are not entitled to Continuing Care funding, the NHS may pay a standard contribution towards the nursing care you require.
The standard contribution made by the NHS will be taken into account by Community Services when they assess how much can be paid towards the weekly charge for your care home.
What happens if I choose a care home which charges more than the Community Services support level?
You are free to choose a care home which charges above the Community Services support level, as long as a third party agrees to pay the difference between the charge and the support level from their own funds. This is called a third party top up.
Except in limited circumstances, you would not be expected to pay your own third party contribution from your own funds. Anybody who agrees to pay a third party contribution should note that contributions may increase over time.