Nockolds Resources

Social Care Funding

You will have probably heard the news about the Dilnot Report into Social Care funding.  Some of the reporting has been rather poor, presenting the report as though it has been adopted when in fact it is merely a collection of proposals yet to be fully considered by Parliament.

The report proposes that the ceiling on protected personal assets is raised from £23,250 to £100,000, so that this higher amount cannot be touched for care home fees.  In addition, a cap in costs paid by an individual is proposed between £25,000 and £50,000 when currently there is no cap and an individual’s entire wealth could be used to pay.

Interestingly, pure accommodation and food costs are not included in this cap and their payment will presumably remain on a means tested basis.

If these proposals are adopted, there is likely to be a raft of insurance products made available for people to plan ahead for care home fees in the knowledge that the costs are fairly foreseeable.

What the report and the media coverage do not address is the question; should you be paying for your care at all? 

The NHS has a legal duty to fully fund care when there is a “primary health need”and we can foresee a danger that the Dilnot Report, media coverage and any subsequent adoption of the proposals will increase the public’s expectation that they must pay.  In our experience, many individuals end up paying for care that should be provided free of charge, fully funded by the NHS.

 Daniel Winter

(01279) 712511

dwinter@nockolds.co.uk

 

Daniel Winter (profile) Daniel Winter Monday 4th July 2011
Care Home Fees stories →
Dispute Resolution stories →
Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts stories →

Latest Entires →

Departments

Months

Authors

Tags

Subscribe